Animal Residue Data Sheet - Permethrin

This Animal Residue Data Sheet sought to provide information on the possible residues in feed commodities obtained from crops treated with Permethrin. However, inadequate data has prevented the provision of such information. If further appropriate residues data become available, this guideline will then be revised.

Permethrin is registered in Australia for use on vegetables, fruit, field crops and cereals. Details of the registered use patterns can be found on the approved labels of registered products containing Permethrin as the active constituent.

Current MRLs

The Australian MRLs for Permethrin in food and animal feed commodities, as listed in Table 1 and Table 4 of the MRL Standard (as at November 4, 2002) are shown below. The residue definition for permethrin is permethrin, sum of isomers.

Code	Food	MRL, mg/kg
Food Commodities
VB 0040	Brassica (cole or cabbage) vegetables, Head cabbage, Flowerhead brassica [except brussels sprouts]	1
VB 0402	Brussels sprouts	2
VS 0624	Celery	5
GC 0080	Cereal grains	2
VD 0526	Common bean (dry) [navy bean]	0.1
VP 0526	Common bean (pods and/or immature seeds)	0.5
SO 0691	Cotton seed	0.2
VC 0045	Cruiting vegetables, Cucurbits	T0.2
HS 0783	Galangal, rhizomes	T5
HH 0092	Herbs	T5
	Kaffir lime leaves	T5
FI 0341	Kiwifruit	2
VL 0053	Leafy vegetables (except Lettuce head and Lettuce leaf)	T5
	Lemon balm	T5
	Lemon grass	T5
DT 1111	Lemon verbena	T5
VL 0482	Lettuce, Head	5
VL 0483	Lettuce, Leaf	5
SO 0693	Linseed	0.1
VD 0545	Lupin (dry)	0.1
	Mizuna	T5
VD 0536	Mung bean (dry)	0.1
VO 0450	Mushrooms	2
VR 0589	Potato	0.05
SO 0495	Rape seed	0.2
VD 0541	Soya bean (dry)	0.1
GS 0659	Sugar cane	*0.1
SO 0702	Sunflower seed	0.2
VO 0447	Sweet corn (corn-on-the-cob)	*0.05
VO 0448	Tomato	0.4
HS 0794	Tumeric, root	T5
CM 0654	Wheat bran, unprocessed	5
CF 1210	Wheat germ	2

Note: There are no registrations for permethrin use in cotton, lupins, mung beans or sunflower seed despite MRLs being listed. By contrast, there are registrations for field peas and green beans but no MRLs.

Note also that bold entries indicate foods considered as stockfeeds.

Animal commodities
MO 0105	Edible offal (mammalian)	0.5
PE 0112	Eggs	0.1
MM 0095	Meat [mammalian] [in the fat]	0.1
ML 0106	Milks [in the fat]	0.05
Animal feed commodities
	No entries

Summary of maximum feeding levels and livestock dietary intakes

Data were identified from both JMPR and proprietary sources as possibly useful in determining maximum feeding levels and acceptable dietary intakes for animals. However, these data were considered inadequate. A summary of studies considered follows.

Two studies, where lactating cows were fed 150 ppm permethrin. Tissues and milk data were available. However, residues were very high and extrapolation to maximum concentrations as represented by MRLs was considered inappropriate.
One study where pig premises were sprayed on a regular basis and residues measured in pig tissues. Because this did not involve a controlled dosing regime, the data were considered inadequate for the purpose of this guideline.
One study in goats where dosage was oral with radiolabelled material, and tissues and milk were taken. Residues were reported in milk and butter, meat, liver and kidney. As permethrin is lipophilic, this was not considered adequate.
Two trials were considered for poultry. In both, hens were fed diets containing permethrin residues. Residues were determined in egg albumin, egg yolk, liver and flesh. No body fat samples were recorded. Again, the data were considered inadequate.

* at or about the limit of quantitation