- PDF Version (147K) - Print Friendly - Help

Proposals to Amend (No. 2) the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards 2008

1 Proposal to set MRLs for Boscalid

It is proposed that MRLs are set for boscalid when used as a fungicide for grapes and pome fruits. It is proposed that Schedule One of the NZ (MRL) Food Standards 2008 be amended to include the following; this will be the resulting entry for boscalid in Schedule One of the NZ (MRL) Food Standards 2008:

NOTE: (*) indicates that the maximum residue limit has been set at or about the limit of analytical quantification.

Amendment Rationale

The proposed MRLs for boscalid represent the registration in New Zealand of a new active ingredient. The proposed MRLs will manage the new use of boscalid as a fungicide on pome fruits and grapes to the application rates and withholding periods that are approved good agricultural practice (GAP) in New Zealand (see below).

Chemical Information

Good Agricultural Practice

Boscalid is proposed for use as a fungicide for grapes. Application may be throughout pre-flowering to pre-harvest, at rate of 378gai/ha with a withholding period of 28 days.

Boscalid is proposed for use as a fungicide for pome fruits. Application may be up to 2 times throughout early to mid growing season at 7-10 day intervals , at 12.6gai/ha with a withholding period of: do not apply after 90% petal fall.

Residues Information

Residue data for grapes supports an MRL of 3mg/kg at 28 days after the last treatment. An MRL of 3mg/kg is therefore proposed to support GAP.

Residue data for pome fruits supports a limit of quantification MRL of 0.05mg/kg when treatment is prior to 100% petal fall. An MRL of 0.05mg/kg is therefore proposed to support GAP.

Animal Transfer: Apple pomace, grape pomace and vineyard waste may be fed to animals, however given the expected consumption level of boscalid in these commodities it would not be expected that residues would be detectable in animal product commodities.

Dietary Risk Assessment

The potential daily exposure via food (PDE_(food))is used for dietary intake calculation where a value has been set. The potential daily exposure via food (PDE_(food)) is used for dietary intake calculation where a value has been set. The PDE_(food) is a value set by the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA), and represents the proportion of the acceptable daily exposure to a substance via the food route as relevant to the New Zealand population. The methodology for calculation of these values is set out in the Hazardous Substances (Classes 6, 8, and 9 Controls) Regulations 2001 which can be found at: www.legislation.govt.nz.

The chronic dietary exposure to boscalid is estimated by the National Estimated Dietary Intake (NEDI) calculation encompassing all registered uses of the chemical and food consumption data based upon the 1997 National Nutritional Survey for adults and the 1995 National Nutrition Survey of Australia, for children. The NEDI calculation is made in accordance with Guidelines for predicting dietary intake of pesticide residues (revised) [World Health Organization, 1997].

The NEDI for boscalid is equivalent to 9% of the PDE_(food). It is therefore concluded that the chronic dietary exposure is small and the risk is acceptable.

Toxicological / Public Health Assessment

It has been determined that the use of boscalid as a fungicide for use on grapes and pome fruits, according to the GAP specified above, is very unlikely to pose any health risks from consumption of the harvested commodity.

Other International MRLs

To meet New Zealand’s obligations under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures the proposed MRLs will be notified to the World Trade Organization. Any country may choose to comment if they believe the proposed MRLs represent a barrier to their trade.