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

9 Proposal to set MRLs for Pyriproxyfen

It is proposed that an MRL is set for Pyriproxyfen when used as an insecticide for tomatoes and cucumbers. It is proposed that Schedule One of the NZ (MRL) Food Standards 2008 be amended to include the following; this will be the resulting entry for pyriproxyfen in Schedule One of the NZ (MRL) Food Standards 2008:

Amendment Rationale

The proposed MRLs represent new use patterns in New Zealand for the active ingredient pyriproxyfen. The proposed MRLs will manage the new uses of pyriproxyfen as an insecticide on cucumbers and tomatoes to the application rates and withholding periods that are approved good agricultural practice in New Zealand.

Chemical Information

Good Agricultural Practice

Pyriproxyfen is proposed for use as an insecticide for glasshouse cucumbers. Application may be throughout crop growth, at a rate of 5gai/100L with a withholding period of 1 day.

Pyriproxyfen is proposed for use as an insecticide for glasshouse tomatoes. Application may be throughout crop growth, at a rate of 5gai/100L with a withholding period of 1 day.

Residues Information

Residue data for cucumbers supports an MRL of 0.1 mg/kg at 1 day after the last treatment. An MRL of 0.1mg/kg is therefore proposed to support GAP.

Residue data for tomatoes supports an MRL of 1mg/kg at 1 day after the last treatment. An MRL of 1mg/kg is therefore proposed to support GAP.

Animal Transfer

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

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 pyriproxyfen 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 pyriproxyfen is equivalent to 0.5% 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 pyriproxyfen as an insecticide for use on cucumbers and tomatoes, 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.