Chemical Industry News
No 76 Winter-Spring 2013
Inside
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What’s that up in the sky?
Controlling roadside canola
Review of 2,4-D HVE completed
Permits for dichlorvos use in the grain industry
Dispose unregistered parathion-methyl insecticides responsibly
What’s that up in the sky?
Have you spotted a small helicopter flying over crops in your region and wondered what it was? Well, it could be
a licensed unmanned aerial vehicle spraying agricultural chemicals.
Aerial spraying of agricultural chemicals in Victoria is regulated by both the Department of Environment and
Primary Industries (DEPI) and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
To cater for the newly introduced Yamaha RMAX unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that is capable of undertaking
aerial spraying, special licence categories under CASA and DEPI have been created to authorise and regulate
the piloting, spraying and business operations of UAVs.
If an aircraft is undertaking aerial spraying of agricultural chemicals in Victoria, the pilot must hold a Pilot
(Chemical Rating) Licence and the business must hold an Agricultural Aircraft Operator Licence, both issued by
DEPI.
DEPI and CASA expect to issue a small number of licenses for remotely piloted, small-scale helicopters (the
Yamaha RMAX) to conduct aerial spraying in Victoria. The licences are specific to the type of aircraft and are
conditional to the operations manual for the aircraft and company.
The RMAX holds a maximum of 16 L of spray mixture, operates at about 3 m above the ground and travels at a
maximum speed of 20 km/h. The RMAX is operated by a minimum of two people (a controller and a spotter).
Currently, no other types of unmanned aerial vehicles are expected to be licensed in Victoria to undertake aerial
spraying.
The legislation governing the use of agricultural chemicals in Victoria applies to RMAX users in the same way as
it applies to any other aerial spraying contractor, including the requirement to be licensed, keep records for all
chemical used and be audited by DEPI authorised officers.
If you have questions or concerns about the spraying of chemicals from any aircraft, call DEPI on 136 186. For
more information about agricultural chemical use and licensing, visit www.depi.vic.gov.au/chemicaluse
Image: Yamaha RMAX UAV (image courtesy of Yamaha Australia)
Controlling roadside canola
Canola plants are sometimes found growing along roadsides in areas where harvested canola is transported.
These plants, known as canola volunteers, compete poorly with perennial vegetation and rarely persist in large
numbers, but can be perpetuated by new spills each year.
Canola is not declared as a weed under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 and there is no legal
obligation on land owners to carry out control. Nevertheless, it is desirable to control volunteer canola as the
spread of this genetically modified seed may contribute to increased resistance in other weed species.
Glyphosate is an effective chemical to control many roadside weeds – but not Roundup Ready® canola. To
control Roundup Ready® canola volunteers, weed managers need to use integrated weed management (IWM)
practices. Options include:
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a knockdown herbicide other than glyphosate
mechanical control, such as mowing, slashing or chipping
an approved tank mix of glyphosate with another herbicide that controls brassica weeds.
All herbicides must only be used in accordance with the approved label instructions (unless authorised for
specific ‘off-label’ use). Care should always be taken with herbicide choices to ensure that they will effectively
control targeted weeds and are appropriate for the location.
Relying on glyphosate as the sole weed management option could contribute to the development of glyphosate
resistant weeds, such as annual ryegrass. To help prevent this, canola plants that survive herbicide treatment
should be controlled by a mechanical method or an alternative herbicide. Adopting IWM practices, including
rotation of herbicides, is important in managing both roadside canola volunteers and other weeds.
The Australian Glyphosate Sustainability Working Group has information on managing herbicide resistance and
IWM at www.glyphosateresistance.org.au
For more information on controlling declared weeds on roadsides, contact Nigel Ainsworth on (03) 9658 4989.
Review of 2,4-D HVE completed
As many readers may be aware, 2,4-D has been under review by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary
Medicines Authority (APVMA) since 2003 because of concerns over its potential risk to public health,
occupational health and safety, and the environment.
2,4-D high volatile ester (HVE) products easily evaporate and be carried long distances under certain conditions,
and can cause off-target damage to nearby crops, vegetation and the environment.
On 21 August, 2013, the APVMA cancelled the registration of 11 HVE products and two active constituents as
part of this ongoing review. The latest assessment found that the risks associated with using 2,4-D HVE products
under the suspended label instructions (put in place in 2006) were unacceptable and could not be mitigated.
This means:
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supply of the cancelled 2,4-D HVE active constituent ceased as of 21 August 2013
from 31 August 2013, the supply of product containing 2,4-D HVE manufactured up to 21 August 2013
is to cease
people can use products they have already purchased up until 31 August 2014 under the same permit
instructions (PER14329) which restricts use to winter only and under strict conditions (for a list of
products, refer to PER14329 - http://permits.apvma.gov.au/PER14329.PDF)
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use of these products after 31 August 2014 will be illegal.
Registrants and approval holders were notified in July of the APVMA's intention to cancel the registration of the
products and the active constituents used in the products.
This action completes the review for the high volatile ester forms of 2,4-D. Further information on the review as
well as the fact sheet, Dioxins and agricultural chemicals and a set of frequently asked questions about 2,4-D is
available on the APVMA’s website, www.apvma.gov.au
Permits for dichlorvos use in the grain industry
Alex Perera, Acting Compliance Manager – Plant and Chemical Operations
In March 2013, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) suspended certain
registrations and label approvals of products containing dichlorvos, due to concerns that the use of dichlorvos in
certain circumstances may be harmful to human health.
Dichlorvos is a volatile organophosphorus insecticide used in stored grain, pest-strips, pest control operations,
animal houses, mushroom houses, greenhouses, avocado crops, and for one veterinary use (for horses).
Certain products containing dichlorvos were initially suspended in 2011. Since then, the APVMA has been in
consultation with product registrants and user groups interested in retaining the use of dichlorvos for the
purposes of grain protection.
Following some specific investigations, the APVMA has decided to issue permits to bulk grain handling
companies to continue using certain products containing dichlorvos, with additional safety measures to mitigate
risks to workers. Two permits are available on an interim basis, which will also enable data generation to ensure
continued use does not have a harmful effect on workers.
Permit 14075 provides strict guidelines for the possession, supply and use of the following suspended products:
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David Grays D.D.V.P. 500 Insecticide
Divap 1140 Insecticide
Divap 500EC Insecticide
Imtrade Dichorvos 500 Insecticide
Barmac Dichlorvos 500 Insecticide
Permit 14076 provides strict guidelines for the possession, supply and use of the following suspended product:
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Insectigas-D DDVP Insecticide
Chemical suppliers must provide the permit in full when supplying products containing dichlorvos, and must
attach a copy of the permit instructions to each product container.
Small packages of chemicals previously available for the control of insect pests in stored cereal grains are no
longer available and are not covered by either permit. Products must be supplied in a container that only allows
use of a drum valve/dry break coupler closed delivery (mixing/loading) system.
The suspensions are in effect until March 2014. More information is available from the APVMA chemical review
website, www.apvma.gov.au/products/review/completed/dichlorvos.php
A copy of permits 14075 and 14076 allowing the possession, supply and use of the suspended dichlorvos
chemical products is also available from the APMVA website, https://portal.apvma.gov.au/permits
Dispose unregistered parathion-methyl insecticides responsibly
Steve Field, Senior Chemical Standards Officer
Fruit growers and farmers are reminded that they can no longer use insecticides containing parathion-methyl
because these products are unregistered and illegal to use.
In July 2011, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) cancelled the registration of
all parathion-methyl products available for use in Australia after the registrant requested the cancellation of the
active constituent.
These products included:
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Farmoz Parathion-methyl 500 insecticide (Product number 39719)
Campbell Penncap-M Flowable Microencapsulated Insecticide (Product number 40500)
Parashoot CS Insecticide (Product number 47674)
Parashoot 500 EC Insecticide (Product number 48441).
Sellers and users of these products were given until 26 July, 2013 to use existing stocks.
Some formulations of parathion-methyl, such as Folidol M500 Insecticide Spray and Folidol 450 CS Insecticide,
were deregistered earlier and are already illegal to use.
Anyone found using unregistered parathion-methyl products in Victoria will be committing an offence under
Section 6 of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1992 (the Act).
Continued use of parathion-methyl products may also result in treated fruit being classified as contaminated. It is
an offence under Section 52AA of the Act to sell contaminated produce.
Any leftover parathion-methyl products should be disposed of through ChemClear, a national agricultural
chemical collection and disposal program.
Past users of parathion-methyl products need to find alternative pesticide chemical options, and should discuss
available options with their industry representative or local chemical reseller.
For further information on the disposal of unwanted agricultural chemicals, please refer to the ChemClear
website, www.chemclear.com.au or phone 1800 008 182 (toll free).
How does your garden grow?
Alex Perera, Acting Compliance Manager – Plant and Chemical Operations
The Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) Chemical Operations unit has released the
results of a series of audits conducted in ornamental plant and nursery industries, which highlight where
industries are performing well and where improvements should be made. The audits, conducted during 2012-13,
were the first of their kind for these industries and focused on authorisation, training, off-label chemical use, and
record keeping.
The Victorian ornamental plant industry has an estimated annual value of over $2 billion and involves over 1000
businesses and 10,000 employees. These audits will act as a benchmark for future compliance work, and as it
was the first targeted industry-wide assessment, no enforcement action was undertaken unless there was a clear
market risk. Future non-compliance will however, lead to enforcement action.
The audits found that on the whole, the industry was compliant with off-label use and training requirements.
However most businesses failed to meet their record keeping requirements, with only 15 per cent of audited
businesses found to be 100 per cent compliant. Several chemical users were also identified as failing to hold the
appropriate authorisation when required (e.g. an Agricultural Chemical Users Permit).
Chemical Operations is working with DEPI Plant Standards and the nursery and ornamental industry groups to
provide education and assistance to increase compliance levels.
For a more information on the audits, or a copy of the report, please contact Acting Compliance Manager – Plant
and Chemical Operations, Alex Perera on 5430 4591 or alex.perera@depi.vic.gov.au
More information on record keeping requirements and chemical use licences and permits is available on the
DEPI website, www.depi.vic.gov.au/chemicaluse
Image: Daffodil bulbs bagged-up on a drying rack at one of the businesses
audited ready for shipping to Western Australia
Flutriafol - a contamination risk
Steve Field, Senior Chemical Standards Officer
The Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) is reminding people who use flutriafol products or
handle flutriafol treated fertiliser to ensure they minimise the risk of contaminating their grain with the chemical.
A number of unacceptable flutriafol residues have recently been reported in various commodities, such as wheat,
canola, and field peas. DEPI conducted traceback investigations into each incident, although a number of
residues could not be traced past the bulk handling site where the grain was sampled. Where investigations
could identify the grower, DEPI worked with the grower to identify how the residue occurred.
In one instance, the grower was unable to source treated fertiliser (which should only be purchased from
companies holding a DEPI Commercial Operator Licence), so they purchased a flutriafol product and treated
their own fertiliser.
The chemical was applied to the fertiliser via a hand-reel as it was being moved via auger onto a truck. The auger
was not cleaned or decontaminated when it was later used to handle the harvested canola, and the truck was
only swept clean. The canola was found to contain 0.34 mg/kg flutriafol, which is 17 times higher than the
maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.02 mg/kg for canola.
In the second instance, a farmer purchased flutriafol treated fertiliser, which he temporarily stored in a silo. The
farmer did not take any steps to decontaminate the silo between storing the fertiliser and using it to store
harvested wheat. The wheat was found to contain 0.83 mg/kg flutriafol, which is approximately 42 times higher
than the MRL of 0.02 mg/kg for wheat.
There are no instructions on the label of flutriafol products that discuss cross contamination the or structural
transfer of flutriafol from silos, augers, trucks, or bins that have stored or handled treated fertiliser. This lack of
information means that farmers have little guidance on how to minimise the risk of contaminating their grain.
In order to address this issue, DEPI has been working with peak industry bodies and as a result, the Grains
Research and Development Corporation has produced a factsheet Pesticide Use: Your role in marketing residuefree grain which can be found at www.grdc.com.au
DEPI has also submitted adverse experience reports to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines
Authority on the two instances discussed in this article. As part of this process, DEPI has recommended
additional information be provided on the product label to farmers about how to minimise the risk of
contamination.
Biosecurity basics: monitoring and surveillance of pests
An important part of biosecurity on your farm should be the routine checking of crops and livestock for signs of
pests and disease. Record the date and all observations, even if you don’t find any pests.
Regular monitoring of your crops or livestock gives you the best chance of identifying a new pest before it
becomes established. This can be incorporated into existing integrated pest management (IPM) or property pest
management plans (PPMP) as part of your routine farm management activities.
Steps you can take to improve your chances of early pest or disease detection include:
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Establish an active monitoring program and record the results, even when nothing is found.
Become familiar with the usual animal and plant disease symptoms, insect pests, and weeds found on
your property. Knowing what’s normally found on your property will increase your chances of
discovering something unusual. Consult with neighbours on anything suspicious, as it is unlikely that the
cause of the problem doesn’t stop at your own property boundaries.
Be aware of the high priority biosecurity threats for your industry by talking to your local veterinarian,
industry group, state/territory department of primary industries (e.g. Department of Environment and
Primary Industries (DEPI) for Victoria) or by checking the Plant Health Australia website,
www.planthealthaustralia.com.au
Ensure your farm personnel know how and where to report any unusual diseases, pests or weeds. For
plant pests and diseases, send a photo to plant.protection@depi.vic.gov.au for preliminary diagnosis by
a technical expert. If further diagnosis is required, DEPI can advise how to collect a sample, or organise
further investigation. It is a good idea to try to contain the suspect pest or disease to avoid further
spread.
Any unusual pest or disease symptom should be reported immediately via the Emergency Animal Disease Watch
Hotline on 1800 675 888 or the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. Early detection and reporting
enhances the chance of effective pest control and/or eradication, and will also prevent or minimise the long-term
damage to the individual producer and their industry.
If you suspect you have found an exotic pest, the following general precautions should be taken:
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Report it.
If possible, photograph the pest or disease symptoms.
Mark the location of the pest in your crop or isolate affected livestock.
Wash hands, clothes and boots that have been in contact with affected animal, plant material or soil.
Restrict the movement of people or equipment near the affected area.
Do not touch, move or send affected material anywhere. Contact your state/territory department of
primary industries (e.g. DEPI for Victoria) and they will assist with the correct protocols for sampling,
handling and transport of samples. Incorrect handling could further spread the pest or make the samples
unfit for diagnosis.
Identify people, stock and machinery/vehicles that have recently been the area and ready them for
decontamination or treatment. Accurate records of people and equipment that has been in contact with
the property will help to track the potential spread and/or origin of the pest or disease.
Source: www.farmbiosecurity.com.au
New farm biosecurity videos available
Jim Moran – Victorian Grains Industry Biosecurity Officer
People and vehicles can accidentally carry diseases, pests, and weeds onto your property. Watch the latest
videos from Farm Biosecurity to find out what steps you can take to secure your farm and see how others in the
industry are doing it well.
The five-minute videos include practical advice on how to minimise the risk of pests and diseases spreading onto
your property, between properties, and in your region. They feature interviews with farmers about why biosecurity
is important to them and should be to you, and provide demonstrations of key biosecurity practices including
signage, vehicle wash down facilities, and visitor risk assessment.
Templates for gate signage, record sheets, and other resources to implement biosecurity measures on your farm
are available for free download at www.farmbiosecurity.com.au The educational videos can be watched at
www.youtube.com/FarmBiosecurity
For further information, or for a free copy of the Farm Biosecurity Manual for the Grains Industry or a biosecurity
fence sign, contact Jim Moran on (03) 5430 4479 or email jim.moran@depi.vic.gov.au
Do I Need an ACUP or COL?
If you use agricultural chemicals, you may require a Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI)
chemical use licence or permit.
For the ground-based application of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides, there are two main types of
authorisation, each with a number of endorsements available. It is important to ensure that you have the correct
licence or permit type applicable to you and the appropriate endorsements for the chemicals you apply.
Agricultural Chemical User Permit (ACUP)
In Victoria, an ACUP is required to use agricultural chemical products that:
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are ‘restricted use’ chemicals (agricultural chemical products that are Schedule 7 Poisons
(DANGEROUS POISONS) or contain atrazine, metham sodium or ester formulations of MCPA, 2,4-D,
2,4-DB or triclopyr)
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contain 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate)
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contain gaseous methyl bromide, chloropicrin or phosphine for fumigation
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contain pindone concentrate (greater than 2.5%) for the preparation of poison baits
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contain copper, chromium and arsenic (CCA).
This authorisation is required for the private use of the above chemicals or the application of these chemicals on
commodities, land, structures or water supplies that you own. An ACUP does not cover chemical applications
undertaken for a fee or reward, including the operation of a contract spraying, fumigation or vermin control
business.
There are five different ACUP endorsements, each with specific training requirements; standard, 1080 (sodium
fluoroacetate), pindone concentrate, fumigants and CCA. Different endorsements can be combined (excluding
CCA) providing the appropriate training has been successfully completed.
Commercial Operator Licence (COL)
If you operate a business that provides ground-based agricultural chemical application services (or seed/fertiliser
treatment, fumigation or vermin control) for a fee or reward using any agricultural chemical then you must hold a
COL.
There are four COL types; agricultural chemicals (other than vermin destroyers/avicides and fumigants), vermin
destroyers/avicides, fumigant and CCA. Training requirements differ for each endorsement. As with ACUPs, a
COL can combine endorsements (excluding CCA) provided the appropriate training has been completed.
If your business is primarily domestic or commercial pest control, then you require a Licence to Use Pesticides
issued by the Department of Health. For information, visit www.health.vic.gov.au/pestcontrol or phone 1300 887
090.
DEPI licence and permit application forms are available from the DEPI Chemical Use website,
www.depi.vic.gov.au/chemicaluse
Are your address details up to date?
It's always important to keep your information up to date, particularly if you move. If you hold any of the following
chemical use licences or permits issued by DEPI, remember to inform us of your new address details:
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Agricultural Chemical User Permit (ACUP)
Commercial Operator Licence (COL)
Pilot Chemical Rating Licence (PCRL)
Agricultural Aircraft Operator Licence (AAOL).
It’s easy to make the change. Simply fill out a ‘Change of Address notification for a licence or permit’ form from
the DEPI website, www.depi.vic.gov.au/chemicaluse (follow the ‘Licence and permit application forms’ quick link)
and send it to:
Project Officer Licensing, Animal Standards Branch, Department of Environment and Primary Industries, PO Box
2500, Bendigo Delivery Centre, VIC 3554, fax 5430 4505, or email customer.service@depi.vic.gov.au
Record your agchemical use
In Victoria, it is a legal requirement for agricultural chemical users to make and keep prescribed chemical use
records.
Some chemical users mistakenly believe they only need to keep records of certain chemicals used on their crops,
such as fungicides and insecticides. Records are, in fact, required for all agricultural chemicals used.
Keeping robust chemical records captures valuable data that can be used to assist you in your business. For
example, they can be useful when evaluating if a product has worked effectively on your property. They can also
be used to demonstrate that due care was taken at the time of spraying, which may prove valuable if allegations
of spray drift are made.
It is compulsory that you record the following records within 48 hours of using an agricultural chemical product,
and keep these records for two years from the date of use.
1. Product trade name
2. Date the product was used*
3. Application rate of the product
4. Crop/commodity that was treated (e.g. pasture, apples) or the situation in which the product was applied
(e.g. roadway, channel spraying)
5. Extent of use (the area of land treated, or the volume of water treated, or the volume of stored
commodity treated, or the weight of the commodity treated)*
6. Specific location where the product was used (e.g. paddock name)
7. Name and address of the applicator/supervisor
8. Name and address of the person for whom the application was carried out
9. Wind speed and direction at the time of application**
If using products that are poison baits intended for pest animal control (e.g. 1080 or Pindone baits), two
additional records are required:
10. Date the baiting period began***
11. Date the baiting period ended***
* not required when using poison baits for pest animal control
** only required where a product is being sprayed outdoors (excludes hand-held devices that are operated
manually e.g. knapsacks)
*** only required when using poison baits for pest animal control.
There are also record keeping requirements which apply to individuals who use certain veterinary chemical
products to treat stock animals. Information on veterinary chemical use records can be found on the Department
of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) Chemical Use website, www.depi.vic.gov.au/chemicaluse
You can keep these records in a format that suits your individual business (e.g. hand written, computer
generated, included in your quality assurance program records). The only requirements are that they contain all
the required information, are clear, accurate and must be readily available to a DEPI authorised officer upon
request.
For more information on agricultural chemical record keeping and downloadable record keeping templates, visit
the DEPI Chemical Use website.
DEPI Chemical Standards
Visit www.depi.vic.gov.au/chemicaluse for more information about:
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Rules and regulations on the use of agricultural and veterinary chemicals in Victoria
Licence and permit application forms
Agricultural Chemical Control Areas
Previous issues of CIN
DEPI Chemical Standards contacts
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Steve Field
Alex Perera
Felicity Collins
Jo Robinson
Neil Harrison
Jane Rhodes
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Editor: Deann Chy
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