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

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

7 Proposal to set an MRL for Propiconazole

It is proposed that an MRL is set for propiconazole when used as a fungicide for olives .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)
Propiconazole	60207-90-1	Propiconazole	Olives	0.01*

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

Compound	CAS#	Residue definition	Food	Maximum Residue Limit (mg/kg)
Propiconazole	60207-90-1	Propiconazole	Barley Mushrooms Oats Olives Wheat	0.02* 0.05* 0.02* 0.01* 0.02*

Amendment Rationale

The proposed MRL represents a new use pattern in New Zealand for the active ingredient propiconazole. The proposed MRL will manage the new use of propiconazole as a fungicide on olives to the application rates and withholding periods that are approved good agricultural practice in New Zealand (see below).

Chemical Information

Common name of compound	Propiconazole
Use of compound	Fungicide
Chemical Abstract Services (CAS) Registry number	60207-90-1
Type of compound	Carboxylic acid amide
Administration method	Spray

Good Agricultural Practice

Propiconazole is proposed for use as a fungicide for olives. Application may be throughout the period following harvest up until flowering at 5.25-7gai/100L with a withholding period of “do not apply after flowering”.

Residues Information

Residue data for olives supports a limit of quantification MRL of 0.01 mg/kg when the last treatment is made prior to the end of flowering. An MRL of 0.01mg/kg is therefore proposed to support GAP.

Animal Transfer

Olives are not considered primary animal feed crops thus no residue transfer to animals is expected.

Dietary Risk Assessment

Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)

0.04mg/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 propiconazole 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 propiconazole is equivalent to 0.1% 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 propiconazole as a fungicide for use on olives, 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.