The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has suspended the emergency permit (PER96499) for the use of florfenicol in salmon in Tasmania, on the basis of unacceptable risk of residue exposure to non-target species.
The suspension took effect on 4 March 2026.
In November 2025, the APVMA granted the permit for use of the antibiotic florfenicol in salmon in the south-eastern biosecurity zone of Tasmania, under strict conditions.
On 20 February 2026, the APVMA notified the product holder that it proposed to suspend the permit based on new information reporting low-level detections of florfenicol amine in some non-target species, unless information could be provided by 2 March 2026 to satisfy the trade criteria.
Information received by the APVMA on 2 March 2026 has been reviewed, and it has been concluded that there was no new data, or any evidence of measures that would address the APVMA’s concerns.
The product holder has been advised that the permit has been suspended and that the product can no longer be used under the provisions of the permit.
Further background is contained in the statement released by the APVMA on 20 February 2026.