- PDF Version (236K) - Print Friendly - Help

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

2 Proposal to set an MRL for Azinphos-methyl

It is proposed that an MRL is set for azinphos-methyl when used as an insecticide for potatoes. It is proposed that Schedule One of the NZ (MRL) Food Standards 2007 be amended by deleting the following entry:

As a replacement for the deleted MRL it is proposed that Schedule One of the NZ (MRL) Food Standards 2007 be amended to include the following entry:

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

The final entry for azinphos-methyl in Schedule One of the NZ (MRL) Food Standards 2007 will therefore read:

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

Amendment Rationale

The proposed MRL represents a reassessment of currently approved use patterns for azinphos-methyl. As use patterns have not been registered for use on vegetables other than potatoes for over five years it is considered that the MRLs supporting these uses can be removed from the standard. As azinphos-methyl is still registered for use on potatoes the deleted vegetable MRL will be replaced solely with an MRL for potatoes. This can be set at the limit of quantification because no residues are expected to be present in potatoes treated to good agricultural practice (GAP) (see below).

Chemical Information

Good Agricultural Practice

Azinphos-methyl has previously been registered for use on all vegetable crops. However, the use patterns have been withdrawn for all instances of use on vegetables except for potatoes. GAP for potatoes is currently approved at 560gai/ha with a withholding period of 14 days. The purpose of this change is to reflect that azinphos-methyl is no longer registered for use on all vegetables by restricting the MRL that reflects GAP solely to potatoes.

Residues Information

As azinphos-methyl is no longer approved for use on vegetable crops other than potatoes the MRLs for all vegetables have been withdrawn and replaced with a limit of quantification MRL of 0.05mg/kg for potatoes.

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 azinphos-methyl 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 azinphos-methyl is equivalent to 40% 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 restriction of the use of Azinphos-methyl as an insecticide for use on potatoes, according to GAP, 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 MRL will be notified to the World Trade Organization. Any country may choose to comment if they believe the proposed MRL represents a barrier to their trade.