As described in the APVMA Operating Principles in Relation to Spray Drift Risk?(section 9.2), the APVMA has committed to assessing and updating the labels of all currently registered products subject to spray drift regulation to include comprehensive instructions for managing spray drift risk. An overview of how the new instructions will be incorporated into labels can be found in the APVMA’s Operational Notice dated 1 March 2010.

The APVMA will use its reconsideration powers to carry out the reviews and determine what new label instructions or restrictions are necessary. The APVMA expects that these reviews will be done at an accelerated pace because in almost all cases the APVMA already has the scientific information it needs to complete the necessary risk assessments.

Assessing and updating all currently registered products that are subject to spray drift regulation is a very large task, and the APVMA will first deal with pesticides judged likely to pose the greatest risks of adverse effects from spray drift.? The APVMA with the consultation of its advisory agencies has begun this process with the pesticides listed in the table below entitled—PRIORITY LIST FOR SPRAY DRIFT LABEL REVIEWS. These initial pesticides have been selected based on their hazard characteristics, their amounts of use and their involvement in adverse incidents.

The APVMA will continue to work with its advisory agencies, including the Department of Health and Ageing and the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC) on a framework to support the risk assessment and management of chemicals for risk of spray drift. The priority list of chemicals for spray drift label review is therefore an indicative list which is likely to change with time as the APVMA formulates its spray drift assessment framework.

The APVMA is seeking additional candidate pesticides to be added to its priority list and is expecting nominations by state and territory governments, agricultural industries and members of the public. See 'How to nominate a chemical for spray drift review'?located after the table below.

Acceptance and prioritisation of a nominated pesticide will be based on its hazard characteristics, its usage rates in Australia and reports the APVMA has received of its involvement in adverse spray drift incidents. The APVMA may choose at any time to adjust the priority ranking of the existing list depending upon new information that may become available.

Initial Concerns

The areas of concern that have resulted in the chemicals being placed on the priority list are shown in the fifth column of the following table. Additional concerns may be identified after the particular spray drift review has begun. The meaning of the indicators used in the ‘Initial concerns’ column are:

HH - indicates human health concerns (bystander health and/or occupational health and safety)
E - indicates environmental concerns including damage to crops
R - indicates residues and trade concerns

Status

The sixth column below indicates the current status of the spray drift review. The meaning of the terms used in the column are:

pending – indicates that the risk assessments have been completed, and consultation and implementation of the new risk management requirements are ready to begin.
underway – means the review is in progress, and the APVMA is working with registrants to amend labels to reflect new risk management requirements.
completed – means that review actions are finished and that updated labels are approved and ready to appear on products.

Priority list for spray drift label reviews

The APVMA is developing more information on its website for each of these chemicals. Those for which additional information is already available are linked in the table below.

How to nominate a chemical for spray drift review

The APVMA invites any person to nominate an agricultural pesticide for spray drift review. The pesticide should be one that is subject to spray drift regulation. Spray drift regulation applies to all agricultural chemical products (including biological control agents) that are permitted to be applied outdoors as sprays or dusts. However, spray drift regulation does not apply to the following exceptions:

• home garden products
• animal treatments applied as sprays
• products labelled solely for indoor use
• products labelled for outdoor use(s) that are applied in a form other than spray or dust, such as a granular formulation
• fumigant products that exist as a gas under pressure and temperature ranges found outdoors.

To nominate an agricultural pesticide for spray drift review, please send a letter to:

Spray Drift Review Nomination
Manager, Chemical Review
APVMA
PO Box 6182
Kingston? ACT? 2604

Include the following in your letter:

• your contact details
• a clear identification of the chemical product(s) or active ingredient(s) you wish to nominate
• a brief description of your reasons for nominating each product or active ingredient.

?