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

3 Proposal to set an MRL for Cymoxanil

It is proposed that an MRL is set for cymoxanil when used as a fungicide for garlic, onions and potatoes. It is proposed that Schedule One of the NZ (MRL) Food Standards 2008 be amended to include the following entries:

NOTE: (*) indicates that the maximum residue limit has been set at or about the limit of analytical quantification.

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

NOTE: (*) indicates that the maximum residue limit has been set at or about the limit of analytical quantification.

Amendment Rationale

The proposed MRLs represent new use patterns in New Zealand of cymoxanil as a fungicide on garlic, onions and potatoes to the application rates and withholding periods that are approved good agricultural practice (GAP) in New Zealand (see below).

Chemical Information

Good Agricultural Practice

Cymoxanil is proposed for use as a fungicide for garlic, potatoes and onions. Application may be throughout plant growth, at 0.09 - 0.165kgai/ha with a withholding period of 14 days.

Residues Information

Residue data for garlic, onions and potatoes support limit of quantification MRLs of 0.05mg/kg at 14 days after the last treatment. MRLs of 0.05mg/kg are therefore proposed to support GAP.

Animal Transfer

Animals may be fed failed crops of onions and potatoes. Given that no residues are expected in treated crops, it is concluded that there is not likely to be any animal transfer of residues. Animal derived food product limits are therefore not proposed.

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 cymoxanil 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 cymoxanil 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 cymoxanil as a fungicide for use on garlic, onions and potatoes, according to the GAP specified above, is very unlikely to pose any health risks from consumption of the harvested commodities.

Other International MRLs

To meet New Zealand’s obligations under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures the proposed MRLs will be notified to the World Trade Organization. Any country may choose to comment if they believe the proposed MRLs represent a barrier to their trade.