Special review of registration and associated label approvals of selected sheep ectoparasiticides

The purpose of this notice is to announce that the NRA has decided to conduct a special review of selected sheep ectoparasiticide products (pesticides applied externally to sheep to control or eradicate external parasites, particularly lice and blowflies).

The NRA has decided to reconsider, under Part 2, Division 4 of the Agvet Code, the product registrations and associated label approvals, together with any relevant permits issued under Part 7 of the Agvet Code, of selected products which include a claim for external use of the product on sheep for the control, eradication or prevention of external parasites.

In the first instance the review will focus on those sheep ectoparasiticide products containing the active constituents:

· diflubenzuron and triflumuron (diphenylureas); or

· alpha-cypermethrin, cypermethrin, cyhalothrin, lamda-cyhalothrin or deltamethrin (synthetic pyrethroids).

The review will also include any other products which have a claim for treatment of lice and/or blowflies in long wool sheep (>42 days wool growth), except those products where the claims are limited to wound or fly strike dressings.

The products are listed in Appendix 1. The NRA will review the occupational health and safety (OH&S), environmental safety and overseas trade implication aspects of these products.

Registrants of products listed in Appendix 1 will receive advice in writing from the NRA indicating which of their products have been selected for review.

A date for provision of written submissions of data and information addressing the issues identified in this notice has yet to be set by the NRA. This date will be announced following the adoption of updated registration requirements for sheep ectoparasiticide products, which are also published as a draft for comment in this Gazette. Written comments on the review should be forwarded to:

Joan Ashton
Sheep Ectoparasiticide Review Coordinator
National Registration Authority
PO Box E240
KINGSTON ACT 2604

For more information concerning the above please contact Joan Ashton on telephone
(02) 6271 6375, facsimile (02) 6271 6442 or via e-mail on jashton@nra.gov.au.