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Roadmap for insect pollinator risk assessment in Australia
Sep. 9, 2015
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has developed a document, Roadmap for insect pollinator risk assessment in Australia, which outlines a tiered approach to risk assessment. The first tier of assessment involves the traditional assessment approach of calculating risk quotients. Methods for refinement at this tier are described, relying on data and approaches from both Europe and North America.
At higher tiers of assessment, increasingly complex studies pertaining to exposure and effects (semi-field and full-field studies at colony level) are considered. These studies allow for refinements in exposure and/or effects estimations using an increasing level of realism. Importantly, and as noted in the North American guidance document, the different levels of refinement are not intended to be prescriptive. The specific set of data used in assessing potential risks of a pesticide to bees ultimately depends on multiple lines of evidence and risk management objectives.
This guidance proposes that recommendations for label statements are built into the risk assessment framework. Section 10 of the document addresses hazard-based label statements (ie statements which provide an indication of how toxic the product might be to bees), risk-based statements (even though a substance may be toxic to bees, a particular use may be acceptable if exposure is unlikely to reach hazardous levels after that use), and risk management statements (if both a hazard and a potential risk to bees—adults and/or colony—have been identified, risk management statements will be required).
The APVMA recognises that ecotoxicity test methods are still being developed and that pollinator risk assessment methodology is likely to be further extended and refined over the next several years. This guidance will be updated as new test protocols to better assess effects (hazard) of pesticides on bees and the exposure of bees to pesticides become available.
The APVMA now seeks comment on the risk assessment guidance outlined in the document and the proposed pollinator protection statements for product labels.
Source: APVMA
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