In the know: What’s the latest in pesticide research?

Find out how to navigate the dynamic and complicated world of chemical permits, residues and compliance with up-to-date information provided by levy-funded projects.  

Key points:

• – Significant levy-funded research is allocated to understand the past, present and future of pesticide application in Australia. 
• – Several projects are underway, which aim to shine a light on pesticide residues found on apples and pears, and to keep abreast of the dynamic regulatory environment. 
• – The Apple and Pear Strategic Agrichemical Review Process, which identifies pest and disease priorities into the future, will soon be completed.  

The safe, efficient and effective use of pesticides and other chemicals is critical to the long-term productivity and profitability of our orchards. However, navigating the dynamic and complicated world of chemical permits, residues and compliance can be a burden. That’s why several levy-funded projects are dedicated to providing growers with up-to-date information on best practice application for chemical programs. 

Your regulatory finger on the pulse  

The Hort Innovation levy-funded project, Regulatory support and coordination (pesticides) (MT20007), works to equip the Australian horticulture industry with key information regarding both domestic and international pesticide regulation. 

Growers may recognise the work from this project in the form of the Ag-Chem Updates distributed quarterly by project lead Kevin Bodnaruk at AKC Consulting and published on the Hort Innovation website.  

These resources are a valuable tool to help forward planning. As international regulators begin to reassess certain products, this provides a window into the future for any changes to access that the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) may introduce here in Australia. 

According to Kevin, the regulatory landscape is changing by the day, so it is important growers are across any imminent changes to ensure a smooth transition to other products. 

“The regulatory risk assessments that we conduct are a critical tool for any grower looking to forward plan,” Kevin said. “Typically, when similar regulators, such as Canada, start the process of reviewing chemicals with uses being removed or changed, it’s quite likely that, should the APVMA undertake a review, we’ll see a similar outcome. By identifying this risk early, growers can ensure they aren’t caught by surprise later on.” 

According to Kevin, there are some important updates coming up that all growers need to be aware of. 

“We’re seeing overseas that chemicals such as chlorpyrifos and diethyl carbonate are under heavy scrutiny and are likely to face restrictions here in Australia,” Kevin said. “Growers need to be across these potential challenges.” 

Ensuring market access 

The National Residue Survey (NRS), conducted by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is a vital part of the Australian system for managing the risk of chemical residues and environmental contaminants in Australian horticulture. 

Latest data from the NRS shows compliance rates have increased for both apples and pears. For apples, compliance has increased from 95.2 per cent in 2017–18, to a record high of 99 per cent in 2021–22. For pears, compliance has increased from 90.6 per cent in 2017–18, to 98.1 per cent in 2021–22. 

Not only does the NRS confirm Australia’s status as a producer of clean food, but it also provides growers with useful insights to help maintain export market access by identifying residue levels which, while compliant with regulatory requirements in Australia, may need managing to meet changing requirements in target markets. 

Jenna Garwood, Assistant Director – Plant Programs, National Residue Survey, said that as the capabilities of residue analysis labs improve worldwide, more countries are moving to a positive list system. That means that rather than assuming products are permitted unless they are explicitly banned, the opposite becomes true. 

“As chemical residues become more heavily scrutinised, it’s absolutely critical that growers know which residues are turning up on their fruit and which markets this will affect their ability to export to,” Jenna said. “Growers can also access databases which contain details on the maximum residue limits in both Australia and export markets via our website.” 

The results of the yearly survey are distributed by DAFF and are an important tool for growers to be across. 

Results out now for Strategic Agrichemical Review Survey 

Another Hort Innovation levy-funded project, Strategic Agrichemical Review Process (SARP) (MT21005), has facilitated a survey into the current priorities regarding agrichemicals within the apple and pear industry. 

Led by Doug McCollum from AGK Services, 19 apple and pear growers were surveyed to determine what growers see as the most pressing concerns around regulatory changes, resistance issues and chemical availability. 

The project then identifies any looming issues for growers and works closely with other related projects, such as MT20007, to communicate those challenges and potential mitigation strategies back to growers by identifying potential replacement chemicals. 

“The project is an important conduit between growers and the broader agrichemical environment,” Doug said. “These updates ensure that growers’ views are represented when funding decisions for research are being made.” 

The 2021 SARP report for the apple and pear industry was published in December 2022. 

This article was first published in the Summer 2022 edition of AFG.