This consultation closed on 2 September 2025
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) invites comment on the proposed decision to suspend the product registration and label approval of chemical products containing dimethoate for use on blueberries, raspberries and blackberries.
The APVMA has considered new information that shows the consumption of blueberries, blackberries and raspberries by Australians has increased significantly compared to the amount assessed during the most recent dimethoate reconsideration completed in 2017. Consequently, if products containing dimethoate are used on blueberries, blackberries or raspberries, following the approved instructions for use, there is not an adequate safety-margin between the possible level of dimethoate residues and the maximum acceptable level of exposure.
More information about the proposed suspension is available on apvma.gov.au.
The APVMA invites written submissions on the proposed suspension of specific products containing dimethoate and associated label approvals. Submissions related to these matters will be considered by the APVMA prior to any regulatory action. Any submission that does not address whether the use of dimethoate meets the safety criteria (such as potential costs, or benefits of dimethoate use) cannot be taken into account in the APVMA’s decision.
Making your submission
Electronic submission to the APVMA by email to chemicalreview@apvma.gov.au is preferred. Please lodge your submission with a public submission coversheet, which provides options for how your submission will be published.
Please note: Submissions will be published on the APVMA website unless you have asked for the submission to remain confidential, or if the APVMA chooses at its discretion not to publish any submissions received (see public submission coversheet).
Note that all APVMA documents are subject to the access provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and may be required to be released under that Act should a request for access be made.
Note that all submissions received are subject to legislative requirements, including the Freedom of Information Act 1982, the Privacy Act 1988 and the Agvet Code.
The closing date for submissions is Tuesday 2 September 2025.
Submissions or requests for further information can be sent to:
Chemical Review
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
GPO BOX 574
Canberra ACT 2480
Telephone: +61 2 6770 2400
Email: chemicalreview@apvma.gov.au
Submissions received
The APVMA sought comments from interested stakeholders in relation to the proposed suspension of dimethoate for use on blueberries, blackberries and raspberried that closed 2 September 2025.
22 submissions were received from stakeholders during the consultation period. One submission was made by a member of the public; 3 submissions were made by commercial or retail organisations; 2 were made by fruit growing organisations; one was made by a government authority; and one was made by an industry representative association.
16 submitters gave the APVMA permission to publish the content of their submissions.
Consultation feedback
A summary of the APVMA’s consideration of each submission is available on apvma.gov.au.
The information submitted during consultation did not change the APVMA’s assessment that use of dimethoate on blueberries, blackberries and raspberries may not meet the safety criteria, or that the labels may not meet the labelling criteria as set out in the Agvet Code.
We have completed our review of the submissions and published our decision to suspend the registration of certain products containing dimethoate used for control of pests on blueberries, blackberries and raspberries, and to suspend the approval of the labels of those products.