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Proposals to Amend 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 kiwifruit and stonefruit. It is proposed that Schedule One of the NZ (MRL) Food Standards 2008 be amended to include:

Compound	CAS#	Residue definition	Food	Maximum Residue Limit (mg/kg)
Boscalid	188425-85-6	Boscalid	Kiwifruit Stonefruit	0.1* 0.05*

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

The final entry for boscalid in Schedule One of the NZ (MRL) Food Standards 2008 will therefore read:

Compound	CAS#	Residue definition	Food	Maximum Residue Limit (mg/kg)
Boscalid	188425-85-6	Boscalid	Grapes Kiwifruit Pome fruits Stonefruit	3 0.1* 0.05* 0.05*

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

Amendment Rationale

The proposed MRLs represent new use patterns in New Zealand for the active ingredient boscalid. The proposed MRLs will manage the use of boscalid as a fungicide on kiwfruit and stone fruit to the application rates and withholding periods that are approved good agricultural practice in New Zealand

Chemical Information

Common name of compound	Boscalid
Use of compound	Fungicide
Chemical Abstract Services (CAS) Registry number	188425-85-6
Type of compound	Carboxamide
Administration method	Spray

Good Agricultural Practice

Boscalid is proposed for use as a fungicide for kiwifruit. Application may be once between flowering and 100% bloom, at 252gai/ha with a withholding period of “Do not apply after 100% bloom”.

Boscalid is proposed for use as a fungicide for stonefruit. Application may be twice between flowering and 100% petal fall, at 200gai/ha with a withholding period of “Do not apply after 100% petal fall”.

Residues Information

Residue data for kiwifruit supports a limit of quantification MRL of 0.1mg/kg when the last treatment is prior to 100% bloom. An MRL of 0.1mg/kg is therefore proposed to support GAP.

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

Animal Transfer

Kiwifruit and stonefruit are not considered a primary animal feed commodity and therefore animal transfer of residues is not expected.

Dietary Risk Assessment

Acceptable Daily Exposure (ADE)	0.04mg/kg bw/day
ERMA NZ PDE(food)	0.028mg/kg bw/day

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 PDE_(food) is a value set by the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA), which represents the proportion of the acceptable daily exposure (ADE) 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 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 Organisation, 1997].

The NEDI for boscalid is equivalent to 11% 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 kiwifruit and stonefruit, according to the good agricultural practice 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.