Technical highlights - Department of Primary Industries ...

34. Chemical registration: providing tools for invasive pest control
Project dates
Ongoing
Project leader
David Holdom
Ecosciences Precinct
Tel: (07) 3255 4475
Email: david.holdom@deedi.qld.gov.au
Other staff in 2010–11
Joe Vitelli
Objective
Ensure that pesticides used for invasive
plant and animal control are available
and meet Australian regulatory
requirements.
Rationale
Biosecurity Queensland currently holds a
range of permits for the use of pesticides
to control invasive plants and animals.
The need for permits has increased as
pesticide registrants focus primarily
on crop protection (with consequent
greater economic returns) rather than on
environmental protection. This means
that registered chemicals are less likely
to be available for controlling invasive
plant and animal species.
Methods
Applications to obtain registrations
or permits for pesticide use follow
guidelines laid down by APVMA. The
volume of information required varies
depending on whether the chemical is
already registered or allowed for another
use, or is a new pesticide. Information
may be required relating to:
• the chemistry and manufacture of the
pesticide
• its toxicology, including its
metabolism and kinetics
• likely crop and environmental
residues
• occupational health and safety,
associated with both its manufacture
and its use
• its impact on the environment
• its efficacy and safety in use
• trade implications associated with the
intended use.
While Biosecurity Queensland has
primary responsibility for some
pesticides, such as sodium fluoroacetate
(1080), the project focuses on obtaining
off-label permits for registered
chemicals already in the marketplace.
As a consequence, investigations are
normally restricted to likely crop and
environmental residues, impact on the
environment, and efficacy and safety in
the use of a pesticide in a new situation
or for a new pest. Project staff work with
other scientists to ensure that data is
available to address these issues and that
any studies conducted for regulatory
purposes meet APVMA requirements
and guidelines.
Progress in 2010–11
During the past year the following minor
use permits were renewed or obtained:
• PER12202, obtained for the use
of registered products containing
glyphosate (360 g L –1 or 450 g L –1 ),
fluazifop (128 or 212 g L –1 ) or
flupropanate (745 g L –1 ) as active
ingredients to control tussock grasses
(Nasella spp.) in non-crop situations
• PER12139, renewed for the use of
registered products containing
fluroxypyr (333 g L –1 ), glyphosate
(360 g L –1 ), imazapyr (250 g L –1 ),
triclopyr (240 g L –1 ) + picloram
(120 g L –1 ) or triclopyr (200 g L –1 )
+ picloram (100 g L –1 ) as active
ingredients to control pond apple
(Annona glabra)
• PER12436, obtained for the use
of registered products containing
imazapyr (250 g L –1 ), metsulfuronmethyl
(600 g L –1 ), picloram (43 g L –1
in a gel formulation) or triclopyr
(600 g L –1 ) as active ingredients to
control gingers (Hedychium spp.) in
non-crop situations
• PER11540, obtained for the use
of registered products containing
haloxyfop (540 g L –1 ) as an active
ingredient to control hymenachne
(Hymenachne spp.) in nonagricultural
areas, native vegetation,
pasture and aquatic areas
• PER12497, renewed for the use of
registered products containing
imazapyr (250 g L –1 ), metsulfuronmethyl
(600 g L –1 ) or triclopyr
(240 g L –1 ) + picloram (120 g L –1 ) as
active ingredients to control calotrope
(Calotropis procera) in non-crop
situations
• PER12520, obtained for the use of
registered products containing 2,4-D
(500 or 625 g L –1 ), 2,4-D (300 g L –1 )
+ picloram (75 g L –1 ), metsulfuronmethyl
(600 g L –1 ), triclopyr
(300 g L –1 ) + picloram (100 g L –1 )
or triclopyr (300 g L –1 ) + picloram
(100 g L –1 ) + aminopyralid (8 g L –1 )
as active ingredients to control bitter
weed (Helenium amarum) in pastures,
stock routes, roadside verges and noncrop
situations
• PER12729, renewed for the use of
1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) to control
feral cats (Felis catus) in forests,
pastures, and non-crop, pre-plant and
fallow land
• PER12745, obtained for the use of
alphachloralose to control any species
of exotic bird not already established
in Queensland that has the potential
to become a pest.
An emergency permit (PER12644) for
use of alphachloralose by authorised
persons to control house crows (Corvus
splendens) was also obtained.
Funding in 2010–11
• Queensland Government
• Land Protection Fund
76 Technical highlights: research projects 2010–11