Gazette NRA 10, 5 October 1999 page 15

NOTICE

Fluquinconazole

[in the product: JOCKEY FLEXI ROOT PROTECTION FUNGICIDE]

The National Registration Authority for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (NRA) has before it an application from AgrEvo Pty Limited for registration of a new product containing the active constituent fluquinconazole. The product is JOCKEY FLEXI ROOT PROTECTION FUNGICIDE. The product is for use on wheat seed.

In accordance with sections 12 and 13 of the Agvet Code, the NRA invites any person to submit a relevant written submission as to whether the application for registration should be granted. Submissions should state the grounds on which they are based. Such grounds should relate only to matters outlined below that the NRA is required to take into account in deciding whether to grant the application. Comments must be received by the NRA within 28 days of the date of this notice.

Particulars of Application

Proposed product name: JOCKEY FLEXI ROOT PROTECTION FUNGICIDE
Applicant company: AgrEvo Pty Ltd
Name of active constituent: Fluquinconazole
Signal heading: Schedule 6
Statement of claims: For the suppression of take-all in wheat.
Pack sizes: 20L, 100L, 110L
Withholding period: 12 weeks

Summary of the NRA’s evaluation in accordance with Section 14(3)(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 14(3)(e) of the Agvet Code, it proposes to determine that:

(i) The NRA is satisfied that the proposed use of JOCKEY FLEXI ROOT PROTECTION FUNGICIDE would not be an undue hazard to the safety of people exposed to it during its handling and use.

The National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC) has conducted a risk assessment on JOCKEY FLEXI ROOT PROTECTION FUNGICIDE and concluded that it can be used safely. The NRA accepts the findings and recommendations of the NOHSC evaluation.

The product will be formulated in the United Kingdom or Germany; repackaging will be required in Australia. JOCKEY FLEXI ROOT PROTECTION FUNGICIDE is determined to be a hazardous substance based on its toxicity.

(ii) The NRA is satisfied that the proposed use of JOCKEY FLEXI ROOT PROTECTION FUNGICIDE will not be an undue hazard to the safety of people using anything containing its residues. Residue data was assessed by the NRA and maximum residue limits (MRLs) and Withholding Periods (WHPs) were set for fluquinconazole when used on wheat.

(iii) The NRA is satisfied that the proposed use of the JOCKEY FLEXI ROOT PROTECTION FUNGICIDE is not likely to be harmful to human beings if used according to the product label directions.

The active constituent has been evaluated and approved and the product is scheduled as Schedule 6. The appropriate signal heading is on the label. First Aid and Safety Directions for fluquinconazole have been recommended by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services and NOHSC and have been included on the label.

The NRA accepts the findings and recommendations of its advisers on this criteria.

(iv) The NRA is satisfied that the proposed use of JOCKEY FLEXI ROOT PROTECTION FUNGICIDE on wheat seed is not likely to have an unintended effect that is harmful to animals, plants or the environment.

Environment Australia has assessed data in support of JOCKEY FLEXI ROOT PROTECTION FUNGICIDE and believes that the application contains adequate environmental fate and toxicity data to demonstrate that the use of this product according to the label and Good Agricultural Practice is unlikely to result in harmful effects on environmental organisms.

The greatest concern is that fluquinconazole and its primary degradation product are persistent in the environment. However, for the seed dressing product JOCKEY FLEXI ROOT PROTECTION FUNGICIDE, the relatively low annual application rate, use pattern, method of application and/or strong adsorption to soil indicate a low hazard to nontarget organisms.

The NRA accepts the findings and recommendations of its advisers on this criteria.

(v) The NRA is satisfied that the proposed use of JOCKEY FLEXI ROOT PROTECTION FUNGICIDE would not adversely affect trade between Australia and places outside Australia as the MRLs for wheat, eggs, poultry meat and edible poultry offal are at or about the Limit of Quantitation. Finite MRLs are recommended for mammalian meat and offal and for milks and there is a theoretical risk to export trade in these commodities, and comment on this is sought.

In relation to its assessment of efficacy under section 14(3)(f), the NRA proposes to determine that:

(i) The NRA is satisfied the data from trials supporting the efficacy of JOCKEY FLEXI ROOT PROTECTION FUNGICIDE adequately demonstrates that under local conditions this product is effective for the proposed uses.

Public Release Summary

A Public Release Summary of the evaluation is available by contacting David Hutchison on telephone (02) 6271 6384. Written submissions on the NRA’s proposal to grant the application for registration should be addressed in writing to:

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

Phone: (02) 6272 4850
Fax: (02) 6272 3218