Codex crop groups

overview

Crop information

To best understand the Australian system, it is important to understand where crops fall in the Codex crop groups.

The Codex crop groups are used by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) as part of assessment, and when one of these crop groups is mentioned on-label or in a minor use permit they cover a particular group of crops.

Codex crop groups

It is important to identify which of the Codex crop groups the levied vegetables grown belong to. Refer to the table below to see all groups that include levied vegetables.

Reference
Codex Crop Group
Examples

009

Bulb vegetables

Leek, spring onion, shallots

010

Brassica vegetables

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage

011

Fruiting vegetables – cucurbits

Pumpkin, cucumber, zucchini

012

Fruiting vegetables – other than cucurbits

Capsicum, chilli, sweet corn

013

Leafy vegetables

Lettuce, spinach, kale

014

Legume vegetables

Green bean, green pea, snow pea

016

Root and tuber vegetables

Carrot, parsnip, yam

017

Stalk and stem vegetables

Artichoke, celery, rhubarb

027

Herbs

Parsley

Minor and major crops

Minor use permits have the intended purpose of normal use on a minor crop, and minor use on a major crop. Both ‘minor crop’ and ‘major crop’ are defined by the APVMA.

Specifically the guide for determining minor uses from the APVMA lists the major and minor crops.

Major vegetable crops

The following list is from the APVMA regarding which crops they consider to be ‘major’. This is important to understand when requesting a minor use permit.

Brassica vegetables

  • Broccoli
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower

Fruiting vegetables – cucurbits

  • Melons
  • Pumpkin

Fruiting vegetables – other than cucurbits

  • Peppers

Leafy vegetables

  • Lettuce

Legume vegetables

  • Bean (French and runner)
  • Field pea
  • Green pea

Root and tuber vegetables

  • Carrot

 

This project is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the National Vegetable Levy funds from the Australian Government.

Minor use

Minor use is the permit system in Australia which allows for approved off-label use of agrichemicals for specific purposes. It is designed to assist minor crops gain greater access to agrichemicals when needed, and for approved minor use of agrichemicals on major crops.

Minor use is important because it plays an integral role in the Australian vegetable industry as on-label options are often limited for many vegetable crops, especially in the case of emerging crops grown for niche markets.

Strategic Agrichemical Review Process

The Strategic Agrichemical Review Process (SARP) provides an up-to-date assessment of industry priorities, challenges and gaps in the control of pests, diseases and weeds.

Each industry SARP is developed in collaboration with growers across Australia and identifies current crop protection needs to help guide efforts to maintain access to effective agrichemicals. The reports inform activities such as pursuing new chemical registrations with agrichemical companies and applying for minor use permits through the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).

To ensure these priorities reflect the needs of vegetable growers, the SARP documents are regularly reviewed and updated.

 

Current vegetable SARP documents