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

15 Proposal to exempt Iron-EDTA complex from an MRL

It is proposed that an MRL exemption is set for Iron-EDTA complex when used as a molluscicide around food crops.

It is proposed that Schedule Two of the NZ (MRL) Food Standards 2008 be amended to include the following, this will be the resulting entry for Iron-EDTA complex in Schedule Two of the NZ (MRL) Food Standards 2008:

Amendment Rationale

The proposed MRL exemption represents a reassessment of the use pattern for Iron-EDTA complex, the breakdown of this compound into a trace element means it is not suitable to be managed against a concentration limit, and therefore it can be exempted from the requirement of an MRL.

Chemical Information

Good Agricultural Practice

Iron-EDTA complex is applied in the form of a bait pellet to agricultural and horticultural land areas, as the pellets represent a very low risk use no specific good agricultural practice is required.

Residues Information

Iron-EDTA pellets undergo environmental degradation and may release available Iron in to soil, iron however naturally occurs in the soil and is absorbed into crops, levels in the crop are unlikely to exceed natural levels however.

Dietary Risk Assessment

Iron is an essential trace element for humans; levels occurring in crops grown on treated areas are unlikely to exceed normal dietary iron levels.

Toxicological / Public Health Assessment

Iron-EDTA may be used as a dietary supplement and has been assess to be of no risk to public health in levels considerably higher than those likely to occur through use as a molluscicide. It is considered that the proposed MRL exemption for Iron-EDTA complex represents no 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.