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

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

7 Proposal to set an MRL for Quinoxyfen

It is proposed that an MRL be set for quinoxyfen when used as a fungicide for cucurbits. It is proposed that Schedule One of the NZ (MRL) Food Standards 2007 be amended to include:

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

The final entry for quinoxyfen 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 new use pattern in New Zealand for the active ingredient quinoxyfen. The proposed MRL will manage the new use of quinoxyfen as a fungicide on cucurbits to the application rates and withholding periods that are approved good agricultural practice (GAP) in New Zealand. The MRL is set at the limit of quantification to represent that no residues are expected to occur in harvested cucurbits when the active ingredient is applied and used correctly.

Chemical Information

Good Agricultural Practice

Quinoxyfen is proposed for use as a fungicide for cucurbits (inedible peel). Application may be up to 3 times at 14 day intervals after flowering at 50gai/ha with a withholding period of 14 days.

Residues Information

Residue data for cucurbits (inedible peel) support a limit of quantification MRL of 0.01mg/kg at 14 days after the last treatment. An MRL of 0.01mg/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. The PDE_(food) is a value set by the Environmental Risk Management Authority, 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 and can be found at: www.legislation.govt.nz.

The chronic dietary exposure to quinoxyfen 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 quinoxyfen is equivalent to 0.01% 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 quinoxyfen as a fungicide for use on cucurbits (inedible peel), 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 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.