Ag Chem update for Pome Fruit

The latest Ag Chemical Updates providing information about regulatory developments and changes to use patterns of crop protection products has been released by Hort Innovation.  

APVMA label extensions and registrations of interest to apple and pear growers 

• The suppression of Alternaria in apples has been added to BASF’s Belanty® fungicide (mefentrifluconazole; FRAC Group 3 demethylation inhibitor) label 
• BASF has applied to register a new miticide Danisaraba (cyflumetofen; Group 25A) for use in pome fruits.   
• Polyram (metiram), for use against Alternaria, has been transferred from permit to label as part of the APVMA’s Permit to Label Project.  

Strategic Agrichemical Review Process (SARP) 

• The SARP for apple and pear is underway to identify current priorities and gaps in pest, disease and weed control. 
• Apple and pear growers are invited to participate in the survey here. 

Domestic regulatory developments 

• The Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority Board and Other Improvements) Bill 2019 was passed by parliament on 1 December 2021.  This will include the creation of a Governance Board for the APVMA, and extensions to the limitation and protection periods on data submitted to the APVMA in support of label uses and aims to provide an incentive for registrants to add minor uses to product labels.  
• A reconsideration of the anticoagulant rodenticides is underway to review environmental safety, human health and residues. Submissions can be made here.  The review process closes on 2 February 2022.  

International developments 

• Iprodione (fungicide) has been recommended for listing in Convention Annex III (banned or severely restricted chemicals and pesticides) by the Rotterdam Conventions Chemical Review Committee.  
• The approval of the insecticide alpha-cypermethrin has been withdrawn in the EU as the compound is no longer supported by the registrant. A grace period will expire in December 2022.  
• Sulfoxaflor can no longer be used on crops in California because of concerns relating to risks for pollinators. 

Information provided here is general in nature. Please refer to product labels for details on application rates, withholding periods and other instructions. 

Ag Chemical Updates are produced as part of the Hort Innovation funded project Regulatory support and coordination (pesticides) (MT17019) and provide an opportunity to review and respond to any issues that may impact on pesticide access and use.  

If you have any comments or questions regarding the above, please contact Rosalie Daniel, Technical Manager at APAL.