Diazinon has been under review since 1996. One of the major issues driving the review has been concern about a possible link between the use of diazinon and adverse human health effects on rural workers involved in dipping and/or jetting sheep.

The major use patterns of hand jetting, shower dipping, automatic spray race and portable/fixed plunge dipping, are proposed to be removed from the label. This proposal means that the use of diazinon products on sheep would be limited to backline off-shears treatment and individual animal treatments. Additional information has recently been generated using cage dipping. This information may enable the APVMA to support cage dipping of sheep, because cage dipping seems to be a safer method of diazinon use.

At this stage the APVMA proposes to finalise its decision prior to April 2007.

Dichlorvos

The APVMA has released its preliminary findings on the review of dichlorvos. Some uses are to be cancelled due to inadequate data to show safety to users. The APVMA proposes to cancel some post-harvest uses on pulses, broadacre application to avocados, mechanical application to grains and uses in enclosed spaces.

The APVMA seeks comment from the general public, the agricultural chemicals industry and chemical users before any final decision on review outcomes is made.

1080

The APVMA has released the findings of its review of 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate), announcing increased controls on use of the chemical designed to reduce impacts on native animals and birds. Sodium fluoroacetate (or sodium monofluoracetate), commonly known as ‘ten-eighty’ is used for the control of feral animals including rabbits, foxes, wild dogs and pigs, and, in limited situations, native animals. Its use in controlling feral animals such as foxes plays an important role in agricultural production and in the protection of native animal species.

The review was undertaken to address concerns over unintended effects on the environment through the poisoning of non-target animals. The review findings are based on a comprehensive assessment by experts of a large number of scientific studies, as well as field observations and reports.

The way to minimise risk to non-target species is to use the minimum effective bait application rate, together with appropriately targeted placement of baits. The APVMA decision prescribes a nationally consistent application rate of 10 baits per kilometre. The APVMA is satisfied that, with these amendments to conditions for use, the continued use of 1080 will not adversely affect the environment.

Before the review was released, some NSW landholders expressed concerns that the reduced baiting rate would not adequately control wild dogs preying on their livestock. Accordingly, the APVMA has issued a permit to allow continued use of 40 baits per kilometre in specific locations for a limited time. However, the APVMA made it clear that any longer-term continuation of these arrangements would only be considered if further research demonstrated clearly that the higher rates were necessary for effective wild dog control without adversely affecting populations of native animals and birds.

Chemical Recall - Imtrade Pty Ltd

The APVMA has ordered the compulsory product recall of 52 agricultural chemical products supplied by Western Australian company Imtrade Australia Pty Ltd. The company mainly supplies herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. The APVMA alleges that false information was provided by the company in its applications for registration of the relevant chemical products.

In particular, the APVMA alleges that a manufacturing site nominated by the company did not exist. The products are therefore not validly registered and are being recalled.

The recall notice specifies a number of products to be recalled from the supply chain and for supply to the marketplace to cease. The cost of the recall is to be met by the company.