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Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards 2007

1 Proposal to set MRLs for Amitraz

It is proposed that MRLs are set for amitraz when used as a miticide for use in beehives. It is proposed that Schedule One of the NZ (MRL) Food Standards 2007 be amended to include the following; this will be the resulting entry for amitraz in Schedule One of the NZ (MRL) Food Standards 2007:

Amendment Rationale

The proposed MRLs represent a reassessment of a currently approved use pattern for amitraz control of varroa mite in beehives. The reassessed residue data indicates that MRLs for amitraz can be promulgated into the MRL Standards to support the good agricultural practice (GAP) of the currently approved use pattern. The proposed MRLs are for honey and for other bee products (including comb honey, royal jelly, pollen and propolis). The MRLs differ because of the higher fat content of other bee products allowing a greater absorption of residues.

Chemical Information

Good Agricultural Practice

Amitraz is used as a miticide for the treatment of varroa in beehives. Application may be for a 6 week period throughout spring before honey supers are added.

Residues Information

Residue data for honey supports an MRL of 0.1mg/kg when honey supers are not present during treatment. An MRL of 0.1mg/kg is therefore proposed to support GAP. Residue data for other bee products (comb honey, wax, propolis and pollen) supports an MRL of 1mg/kg. An MRL of 1mg/kg is therefore proposed to support GAP.

Dietary Risk Assessment

The potential daily exposure via food (PDE_(food)) is used for dietary intake calculation where a value has been set. An appropriate acceptable daily intake (ADI) is used in the absence of a PDE_(food).

The chronic dietary exposure to amitraz 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 Organisation, 1997].

The NEDI for amitraz is equivalent to 6% of the ADI. 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 amitraz as a miticide for use in beehives, according to the GAP specified above, is very unlikely to pose any health risks from consumption of the harvested commodity.

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.