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

17 Proposal to exempt Salicylic acid from an MRL

It is proposed that an MRL exemption is set for salicylic acid when used as an agricultural compound.

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 salicylic acid in Schedule Two of the NZ (MRL) Food Standards 2008:

Note: Salicylic acid currently appears in Schedule Three as it is exempt from an MRL when used as a veterinary medicine

Amendment Rationale

The proposed MRL exemption represents a reassessment of the use patterns for salicylic acid, the endogenous nature of this compound in plants 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

Salicylic acid may be applied in the form of a spray or a wound sealant to fruit vines or trees, application rates may vary with the proposed use, it is considered however that a specific withholding is unnecessary.

Residues Information

Salicylic acid is naturally present in plants and may be present at significant background levels. Studies on pome fruit, grapes and kiwifruit indicates endogenous levels are not affected by application of salicylic acid as an agricultural compound. Therefore it is inappropriate to manage use of salicylic against a chemical concentration limit.

Dietary Risk Assessment

As levels of salicylic acid are not expected to exceed background levels there is no dietary risk.

Toxicological / Public Health Assessment

Salicylic acid naturally occurs in the diet thus its use as an agricultural compound represents no public health risk.

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.