Possible dimethoate ban: APVMA insecticide review warning

The head of one of Australia’s peak grain farmer bodies has warned another key chemical used in insecticides to control pests may be banned.

Grain Producers Australia chairman Andrew Weidemann said the current review of dimethoate, could result in it being banned for use in crop protection in Australia.

The chemical regulator the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority announced in October it was reviewing the registration of dimethoate, which is a widely used organophosphorus insecticide used to control mites and insects.

Dimethoate products are registered for more than 200 uses, including before and after harvest of cereal and fruit crops, to control more than 80 pest species.

It comes after the APVMA announced recently another key chemical, omethoate, would be banned from December next year.

Omethoate is a breakdown product or a metabolite of dimethoate.

The APVMA said it was reconsidering dimethoate’s registration “because of concerns over toxicological, occupational health and safety, trade and residues issues”.

Mr Weidemann said the ¬review of omethoate and ¬dimethoate came after a revision of the acceptable daily intake level of the chemical at an international level a few years ago.

He said the GPA wrote a confidential submission to the APVMA during the omethoate review arguing for its continued registration.

“The product is widely used and we require it ... the problem is the product is becoming globally unacceptable,” Mr Weidemann said.

And he feared the active ingredient of dimethoate would also be banned or its use restricted.

Mr Weidemann said the broader issue was chemical companies were not investing in new chemicals for the Australian agriculture market after their patents expired.

“Once a chemical goes off patent they don’t want to invest any future in the product,” he said.

“Australia is such a small player in the use of the products, unless we have global consumption of the product it’s hard for companies to get a return on investment. Its market failure at its best.”

Submissions to the APVMA review closes Friday, January 27.