- PDF Version (168K) - Print Friendly - Help

Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards 2008

2 Proposal to set MRLs for Carbaryl

It is proposed that MRLs are set for carbaryl when used as an insecticide for cabbages and tomatoes. It is proposed that Schedule One of the NZ (MRL) Food Standards 2008 be amended by deleting the following MRLs:

As a replacement for the deleted Vegetables MRL, it is proposed that Schedule One of the NZ (MRL) Food Standards 2008 be amended to include the following:

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

Amendment Rationale

The proposed MRLs represent a reassessment of the use patterns for the active ingredient carbaryl. It was indicated that carbaryl was no longer used on potatoes and the majority of vegetable crops, thus these MRLs were redundant and have been revoked. The proposed MRLs will support the continued use of the product on cabbages and tomatoes to the application rates and withholding periods that are approved good agricultural practice in New Zealand.

Chemical Information

Good Agricultural Practice

Carbaryl is currently approved in New Zealand for use as an insecticide on a wide variety of fruit and vegetable crops, and as a fruit thinner on apples.

Residues Information

The proposed MRLs represents a review of current use patterns which indicates that carbaryl is no longer used on any vegetable crops, other than cabbages and tomatoes. It is thus proposed the redundant potatoes and vegetables MRLs are revoked and replaced with individual crop MRLs for cabbages and tomatoes.

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 carbaryl 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 carbaryl is equivalent to 35% of the ADI. It is therefore concluded that the chronic dietary exposure is small and the risk is acceptable.

Toxicological / Public Health Assessment

The proposed removal of vegetable crop MRLs is not expected to increase the risk to public health

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.