Gazette APVMA 3, 1 March 2005 page 15

NOTICE

Trifloxystrobin

[in the product: FLINT 500 WG FUNGICIDE]

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has before it an application from Bayer CropScience Pty Ltd to vary the registration of this product to include a new use on strawberries for control of powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis). This involves approving a new product label for this product. The application also requires the establishment of a Food MRL for trifloxystrobin; and the setting of a Withholding Period (WHP) for harvest.

The APVMA 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 APVMA within 28 days of the date of this notice.

Particulars of Application

Product Name: FLINT 500 WG FUNGICIDE
Applicant Company: Bayer CropScience Pty Ltd
Active Constituent: trifloxystrobin
Signal Heading: Schedule 5
Statement of Claim: For the control of powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis) in strawberries.
Pack Sizes: 1kg, 2kg and 5kg
Proposed MRLs:

Table 1

Food	MRL (mg/kg)
Strawberries	2

Withholding Period: Strawberries
Harvest: Do not harvest for 1 day after application.

Summary of the APVMA’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 APVMA 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:

The APVMA is satisfied that the use of this product would not present an undue hazard to the safety of people from consumption of produce harvested from treated crops.

Trade Evaluation

The Chemistry and Residues Program (CRP) of the APVMA has completed an evaluation of the data and has supported the proposed MRL and Withholding Period for this product and use pattern.

Export of treated produce containing finite residues of trifloxystrobin may pose a risk to Australian trade in situations where (i) no residue tolerance (import tolerance) is established in the importing country or (ii) where residues in Australian produce are likely to exceed a residue tolerance (import tolerance) established in the importing country.

For Australia’s entire strawberry crop grown a small proportion is only exported. MRLs for trifloxystrobin have not been established in most overseas countries. Thus the proposed use on strawberries has the potential to prejudice Australian trade. It is recommended as an adequate measure to mitigate this risk that the following statement appear on the label:

“DO NOT use Flint on strawberries if the crop is destined for export. Maximum Residue Limits have not been set in most overseas markets for trifloxystrobin in strawberries.”

The APVMA is satisfied that, if FLINT 500 WG FUNGICIDE is used according to label recommendations and Good Agricultural Practice, the risk to Australia’s export trade associated with the proposed use is considered to be low and acceptable.

The APVMA welcomes comment on the potential risk to trade and the proposed risk management strategy. A Trade Advice Notice (TAN) has been 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 APVMA is addressing the following criteria during the evaluation of this application:

Occupational Health and Safety Public Health
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:

Paul Jung
Pesticides Program
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
PO Box E240
KINGSTON ACT 2604

Phone: (02) 6272 3354
Fax: (02) 6272 3218