The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has extended its suspension of short-chain ester forms of the phenoxy herbicide, 2,4-D, until January 31st 2013. Under the suspension, applications can only be made between May 1st and August 31st, with specified restrictions. Limits were first placed on ethyl, butyl and isobutyl esters of 2,4-D in 2006 because of concerns over spray drift (Agrow No 506, p 16). The APVMA began a review of the risks posed by 2,4-D spray drift ...

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has recommended the approval of food products derived from BASF’s genetically modified imidazolinone herbicide-tolerant CV127 soybeans. The soybeans were developed in collaboration with the Brazilian agricultural research corporation, the Embrapa, and are due to be introduced in Brazil in the 2013/14 season under the Cultivance brand (Agrow No 627, p 18). FSANZ began assessing the application in September 2011 (Agrow No 624, p 17). Its decision is ...

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has recommended the approval of food products derived from Monsanto’s genetically modified MON87427 maize. It has tissue-selective tolerance to the herbicide, glyphosate, for the production of viable hybrid seed. FSANZ began assessing the application last year (Agrow No 625, p 39). MON87427 is being reviewed for commercial planting by the US and Canadian authorities (Agrow No 615, p 22). The FSANZ decision is open to public comment until February ...

The New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority has received an application to import the fumigant, ethanedinitrile (EDN). BOC Gases New Zealand (Auckland) wants to import EDN for use as a pre-plant soil fumigant for crops such as strawberries and for pest control on grain and timber. EDN is a toxic and flammable fumigant that would only be used by licensed operators, BOC points out. It is seen as an alternative to methyl bromide and phosphine. EDN is more expensive than those fumigants but ...

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has recommended the approval of food ingredients derived from two new lines of genetically modified cotton from Bayer CropScience and Syngenta . Bayer applied for clearance of its glyphosate-tolerant GlyTol cotton (GHB614) and Syngenta for its insect-resistant COT67B cotton (Agrow No 534, p 16). The FSNANZ’s draft assessment reports are open to public comment until September 17th. Bayer is developing GlyTol cotton for cultivation in major ...

Monsanto has received more import approvals for its genetically modified Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans. The second-generation glyphosate-tolerant soybeans have been approved in Mexico, Australia and New Zealand. The recent positive opinion by the European Food Safety Authority (see this issue) is “an important step towards gaining approval within the EU”, says Monsanto’s regulatory vice-president, Jerry Hjelle. The regulatory decisions are seen as significant steps towards commercialisation. ...

The New Zealand Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) has called for restrictions on the use of the organochlorine insecticide, endosulfan, in light of regulatory action in Australia, the US and Europe. The ERMA has invited public submissions on a number of preliminary recommendations. The closing date for submissions is August 8th. The ERMA proposes to ban aerial and domestic applications of endosulfan as these uses do not take place and have not been assessed. It also aims to ban ...

The latest monitoring of pesticide residues in New Zealand has produced “pleasing” results, according to the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFA). While some samples had residues “slightly” over the permitted level, “they are an improvement on previous seasons’ results”, says the NZFA’s principal chemicals adviser, Dr Paul Dansted. The NZFA tested 108 samples of courgettes, lettuces, mushrooms, peppers and strawberries during the second season of its annual Food Residue Surveillance ...