Spray Drift
Operational Notice - New Requirements and Changes to Labels
The APVMA has released an operational notice that covers the new registration application and label requirements in relation to spray drift management (PDF, 92kb) | (RTF | 364kb), effective from 1 March 2010.
Off-target spray drift that can accompany the application of pesticides is a concern that sometimes alarms the community and always challenges the agricultural industry to find ways to control it more effectively. The APVMA is responsible for ensuring that off-target pesticide spray drift does not harm human health, the environment or Australia’s international trade.
In assessing applications for product registrations the APVMA undertakes spray drift risk assessment for agricultural chemical products (including biological control agents) labeled for use outdoors, that can be applied as sprays or dusts. There are some exceptions that are outlined in section 3.2 of the spray drift risk operating principles.
No-spray zones are the protective buffer zones that the APVMA requires between an application area and an area downwind that needs to be protected. The APVMA sets the size of no-spray zones based on the inherent hazard characteristic of each pesticide and on an assessment of the specific risk.
For more information, see Protective No-Spray Zones.
Priority List for Spray Drift Label Reviews
The APVMA has committed to assessing and updating the labels of all currently registered products subject to spray drift regulation to include comprehensive instructions for managing spray drift risk.
The APVMA will use its reconsideration powers to carry out the reviews and determine what new label instructions or restrictions are necessary.
Find our more about spray drift label reviews and see the current priority list of chemicals.
Public Consultation
The Operating Principles were developed over a period of five years, four rounds of public consultation and two national forums.
Download a summary of the final round of public submissions – February 2008 (PDF, 316kb).
Considering Regulatory Impacts
The Preliminary Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) provides background to the development of the Operating Principles and further details of planned spray drift reviews. The RIS satisfies Office of Best Practice Regulation requirements.
Download the Preliminary Regulatory Impact Statement – Feb 2008 (PDF, 808kb).
Further information
Spray drift management fact sheet
The NSW Farmers Association, the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW), the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), and Cotton Australia have combined to create a fact sheet that provides further information on how to manage spray drift.
See the NSW Farmers Association website for a downloadable copy of the fact sheet.
International approaches to spray drift regulation
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has launched a website dedicated to sharing information about the regulatory approach of its different member counties for spray drift concerns.