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

4 Proposal to set an MRL for Emamectin benzoate

It is proposed that an MRL is set for emamectin benzoate when used as an insecticide for avocados. It is proposed that Schedule One of the NZ (MRL) Food Standards 2008 be amended to include:

The final entry for emamectin benzoate in Schedule One of the NZ (MRL) Food Standards 2008 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 new use patterns in New Zealand for the active ingredient emamectin benzoate. The proposed MRLs will manage the new uses of emamectin benzoate as an insecticide on avocados to the application rates and withholding periods that are approved good agricultural practice (GAP) in New Zealand (see below).

Chemical Information

Good Agricultural Practice

Emamectin benzoate is proposed for use as an insecticide for avocados. Application may be throughout plant growth, at a rate of 0.2gai/100L with a withholding period of 14 days.

Residues Information

Residue data for avocados support an MRL of 0.005mg/kg at 14 days after the last treatment. An MRL of 0.005mg/kg is therefore proposed to support GAP.

Animal Transfer: Avocados are not recognised as a significant animal feed crop, therefore no animal commodity MRLs are proposed.

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 emamectin benzoate 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 emamectin benzoate is equivalent to 0.08% 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 emamectin benzoate as an insecticide for use on avocados, 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 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.