NRA Gazette 10, 2 October 2001 page 28

NOTICE

beta-cyfluthrin

[in the product: BULLDOCK DUO INSECTICIDE]

The National Registration Authority for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (NRA) has before it an application from Bayer Australia Limited to vary the registration of BULLDOCK DUO INSECTICIDE to include control of an additional pest of canola. This involves approving a new product label, the establishment of Animal Food Commodity Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for beta-cyfluthrin (as cyfluthrin) in canola forage and fodder, and the setting of new harvest and grazing Withholding Periods (WHPs) for beta-cyfluthrin when used in canola.

The NRA invites any person to submit a relevant written submission as to whether the application to vary the registration to extend the use of this product to include this new use should be granted. Such submissions should detail comments stating the grounds on which the submission is based. Such grounds should relate only to the trade implications of the extended use of the product. Comments must be received by the NRA within 28 days of the date of this notice.

Particulars of Application

Product Name: BULLDOCK DUO INSECTICIDE
Applicant Company: Bayer Australia Limited
Active Constituent: beta-cyfluthrin
Signal Heading: Schedule 6
Statement of Additional claim: For the control of budworms (Helicoverpa spp.) in canola.
Pack Sizes: 5, 20, 200, 1000 litres.
Proposed cyfluthrin MRLs: Canola forage (green) 1 mg/kg
Canola fodder (dry) 2 mg/kg
Withholding Periods:
Canola
(Harvest) - Do not harvest for 14 days after application.
(Grazing) - Do not graze or cut for stockfood for 14 days after
application.

Summary of the NRA's assessment of the application in accordance with sections 29(1)(e) and (f) of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code (the 'Agvet Code'), scheduled to the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994

The NRA has evaluated the application and in its assessment in relation to human and environmental safety under section 29(1)(e) of the Agvet Code, it proposes to determine that:

Residues Evaluation

The NRA is satisfied that the proposed use of this product would not present an undue hazard to the safety of people consuming the produce of crops treated with this chemical.

The Residue Evaluation Section of the NRA has completed an evaluation of the data and has supported the proposed MRLs and Withholding Periods for this product and use pattern.

Trade Evaluation

The NRA is seeking comment on the potential for BULLDOCK DUO INSECTICIDE, when used on canola according to label recommendations and Good Agricultural Practice, to impact on Australia's export trade.

No change to the current MRL for canola seed is required in relation to the change in use pattern. In the new residue trials provided for evaluation, residues of cyfluthrin were less than the limit of analytical determination in all samples analysed. Quantifiable residues are not expected to occur in canola seed and consequently the change to the use pattern is unlikely to unduly prejudice trade.

Based on animal transfer data and anticipated animal feeding levels, it is concluded that livestock consuming treated canola forage and fodder could develop detectable residues of cyfluthrin in fat and milk of 0.1 and 0.03 mg/kg respectively. Residues in other tissues should be <0.01 mg/kg. Consumption of treated canola seed or meal is unlikely to result in detectable residues in animals as cyfluthrin residues in seed are expected to be less than the limit of quantitation.

Although cattle grazing treated canola forage or fodder could develop measurable residues of cyfluthrin, the potential for the variation in the use pattern to unduly prejudice trade should be considered in the context of other currently registered use patterns. No changes to the current MRLs for animal commodities are required as a result of the current application. Beta-cyfluthrin is already registered for use on a range of crops that are considered to be primary animal feeds (including canola). Anticipated animal feed levels resulting from grazing treated canola fodder and forage are less than half that from grazing other treated feed items such as fodder and straw of cereal grains. Given the existing uses of cyfluthrin on important animal feed sources, the grazing of canola fodder and forage is unlikely to significantly increase the risk of detectable residues occurring in exported produce.

A Trade Advice Notice (TAN) which includes a more detailed summary of the assessment will be circulated to peak bodies of industry groups to allow comment prior to the determination of the application. Copies of the TAN are available on request.

Other Criteria

Additionally, the NRA has addressed the following criteria during the evaluation of this application:

Environmental safety
Target Species Efficacy and Safety

Submissions

Comments relating to the trade implications of the proposal to grant this application for variation of registration should be addressed in writing to:

Pat Robinson
Agricultural &Veterinary Chemicals Evaluation
National Registration Authority for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals
PO Box E240
KINGSTON ACT 2604

Phone: (02) 6271 6320
Fax: (02) 6272 3218