Agrochemical Updates, eBulletin


AWRI Agrochemical Update October 2011

Spray drift survey

The Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) requires new pesticides to be assessed for the potential risk of spray drift and new labels can now describe mandatory no-spray zones of up to 300 metres in a downwind direction. In addition, the labels of currently registered pesticides are also being reviewed to include comprehensive instructions for managing spray drift. These changes are considered to be impractical for the wine sector and have the potential to make some chemicals unusable because of the increased buffer zones being proposed.

The Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation (GWRDC) is seeking data about spray application practices in vineyards to support the development of a wine-sector response to APVMA policy.

To support this initiative, the GWRDC requests that you please complete an anonymous spray survey about the technologies and management practices used by the wine sector to manage and prevent spray drift. This survey will close at 5:00 pm ACDT Wednesday, 19 October 2011. To go to the survey, please click here.

Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) certified products

The BFA publishes a list of allowed inputs for organic production. Products on this list should not be automatically considered suitable for organic or conventional viticulture even though they are considered organic. All growers must adhere to the instructions on APVMA approved labels when applying any product for pest control.

Section 1.4 of the current Australian Certified Organic standard requires ‘adherence to the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994 and the Agricultural Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Association (APVMA), which prescribes registration and exemption requirements.’

In addition, section 3.2.1 of the same standard outlines that to maintain certification, an operator must ‘Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, including but not limited to health requirements for food quality and safety and APVMA requirements for crops and livestock, export orders, etc.’

This information is provided to inform the Australian grape and wine sector of agrochemical information, and should not be interpreted as an endorsement