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Status of 2,4-D products in Australia
October 2005
The APVMA has received many inquiries about the review of 2,4-D. This information sheet outlines the current status of the review and the recent interim regulatory action taken in relation to spray drift.
Current Regulatory Action
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Background
A number of different chemical forms of the phenoxy herbicide 2,4-D are currently registered in Australia. They include the high volatile esters (2,4-D ethyl ester, butyl ester and iso-butyl ester); low volatile esters (2,4-D ethyl hexyl ester and isooctyl ester) and the non-volatile forms (2,4-D dimethylamine, 2,4-D isopropylamine, 2,4-D diethylanolamine, 2,4-D sodium and 2,4-D acid).
The registrations and approvals relating to all these 2,4-D chemicals are currently under review by the APVMA because of potential concerns relating to human exposure, occupational health and safety, and the environment (including impacts on waterways, non-target animals and plants). The assessment of the available information necessary to complete the toxicological, occupational health and safety evaluations is expected to be completed by the end of 2006.
Adverse experience reports
The APVMA has been made aware of reports of crop damage through its Adverse Experience Reporting Program, notably in cotton, grapes and other horticultural crops typical of a phenoxy type herbicide and reportedly due to the drift of 2,4-D.
A full investigation of these reports has been conducted by the APVMA. The investigations concluded that the crop damage could be due to off-target movement of 2,4-D, but that this could not directly be linked to a specific formulation of 2,4-D product. The investigation also concluded that additional instructions on 2,4-D product labels were warranted to assist users in managing the issue of spray drift at the time of application.
Action taken to address adverse experience reports
In consultation with state authorities, the APVMA developed additional instructions to strengthen the current label warnings in relation to minimising chemical spray drift. All registrants have been required to update their labels and all products in the market must contain the additional instructions by 30 November 2005, as outlined below.
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These changes are not the final outcome of the review of 2,4-D in relation to spray drift management. Further changes to approvals and registrations may also be required once the full toxicological, occupational health and safety, and environmental risks have been assessed.
Concern about high volatile esters
The APVMA is aware of concerns about the potential risks to non-target crops and/or the environment associated specifically with the use of high volatile esters. Of particular concern is volatilisation and movement of the chemical following application, particularly when environmental temperatures are high.
The Department of the Environment and Heritage (DEH) is currently undertaking an environmental assessment of 2,4-D as part of the overall APVMA review. As part of this assessment DEH will assess the potential for all forms of 2,4-D to volatilise from both crops and soil surfaces and the extent of movement of the chemical away from the site of application. The APVMA expects to receive the preliminary environmental review findings from DEH before the end of 2005.
In light of the adverse experience reports and concerns over the potential of 2,4-D to have unintended effects on non-target crops and/or the environment, the APVMA will publish the environment report findings for a period of public comment ahead of having completed the other components (toxicology, worker exposure and residues) of the review.
The criterion that will be examined in the report is whether or not the APVMA can be satisfied that the continued use of the 2,4-D will not have an unintended effect that is harmful to plants or to the environment.
Other activities
Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania and Queensland currently have mechanisms whereby the use of specific chemicals (including 2,4-D) is restricted to geographical areas and/or time zones due to the higher risk for adverse off-target crop or environmental effects.
Queensland DPI
The following herbicides are restricted in their respective hazardous areas and a distribution permit is required to carry out ground distribution of these herbicides.
Hazardous Area No. 1
The restricted herbicides in Hazardous Area No. 1 requiring a distribution permit if applied other than by an authorised technique2 are any herbicides containing picloram or an ester formulation of 2,4-D and MCPA.
Hazardous Area No 2
The restricted herbicides in Hazardous Area No. 2 requiring a distribution permit if applied other than by an authorised technique 2 are any herbicides containing an ester formulation of picloram.
Please note that any ester formulation of 2,4-D is totally banned from use in hazardous area No.2.
Hazardous Area No. 3
The restricted herbicides in Hazardous Area No. 3 requiring a distribution permit if applied other than by an authorised technique2 are any herbicides containing an ester formulation of 2,4-D.
Western Australia (extract from Farmnote 61/99)
Restrictions on use of hormone herbicides
Under the 'Agriculture and Related Resources Protection (Spraying Restrictions) Regulations 1979' the use of the restricted hormone herbicides is controlled within 10km radius of commercial vineyards and tomato gardens (see "Under the Regulations" below). Their use near other sensitive crops are not controlled by the Regulations, but landholders and spray contractors should exercise a 'duty of care' when spraying.
Under the Regulations
Within a 5km radius of commercial vineyards or tomato gardens only amine and sodium and potassium salt formulations are approved for spraying under permit.
Between 5 and 10 km radius of these crops both amine, sodium and potassium salt and low volatile ester formulations can be used without permit.
Outside of a 10km radius all formulations, that is amine, sodium and potassium salts, low volatile and volatile ester formulations can be used without permit.
Note: Landholders and spray contractors in the Geraldton, Swan Valley and Ord Irrigation Districts need to consult the Regulations for more precise information on restricted spraying areas. They vary in these districts from the above.
Tasmania
2,4-D products may not be used from Spring to Autumn between 15 September and 15 April unless a 2,4-D Permit is issued to allow its use.
Victoria
Certain areas in Victoria have been declared Agricultural Chemical Control Areas (ACCAs). These areas have restrictions on the types and methods of application of certain herbicides and are designed to protect herbicide sensitive and high value crops from potential herbicide damage.
The dates the restrictions apply are as follows:
| ACCA | Start Date | Finish Date |
| Melbourne | All year | |
| Lindenow | All year | |
| Orbost | All year | |
| Boisdale | All year | |
| Mallee & Mid Murray | 1st August | 30th April the following year |
| Goulburn Valley | 1st September | 30th April the following year |
| North Eastern | 1st September | 30th April the following year |
| Rutherglen | 1st September | 30th April the following year |
During this time:
- Application of ester formulations of 2,4-D by all methods is prohibited.
- Aerial spraying or mister application of any amine formulation is prohibited unless a permit has been granted.
Training and user awareness programs
The APVMA is aware of, and fully supports, a number of initiatives by 2,4-D registrants, State and Territory departments, and the wider chemical industry (through Agsafe and Chemcert programs) to raise user awareness of how to manage risks when spraying pesticides.
Further information please contact the APVMA or email: chemrev@apvma.gov.au.