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Most products containing the chemical FENTHION are now cancelled bringing to a close the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority’s reconsideration of this pesticide. A final report, published by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), outlines the reasons for the final decision and takes into account submissions from governments, growers and the community. The report brings together the outcomes of all risk assessments done to date, including toxicology, residues in food, worker exposure and environmental effects.
All horticultural uses except for post-harvest dipping of tropical and subtropical inedible peel fruits are now cancelled. Products used to control cattle lice and other pest control and home garden products are also cancelled. This follows previous regulatory actions by the APVMA in October 2012 to restrict uses of fenthion products in food production. The APVMA is allowing a phase-out period of 12 months to enable use of cancelled products. The current permits for use of the horticultural product will continue during this time period. This phase-out period is consistent with the recommendation of the recent Senate Inquiry.
As a broad spectrum organophosphate (OP) insecticide, Fenthion, was previously registered for use on a range of horticultural crops, including apples, avocado, capsicums, cucurbits, custard apples, grapes, mangoes, paw paw, pears, tomatoes, stone fruit and ornamentals. The APVMA has decided to:
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Helena Whitman |
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