Australia to approve active constituent metcamifen and Syngenta’s new seed treatment

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has an application for the approval of a new agricultural active constituent, metcamifen, for use as a herbicide safener applied as a seed treatment in sorghum, and a new product EPIVIO C Sorghum Seed Safener, containing Metcamifen, applied by Syngenta Australia Pty Ltd.

The APVMA has evaluated the chemistry aspects of metcamifen active constituent (identification, stability, physicochemical properties, manufacturing process, specifications, quality control procedures, batch analysis results and analytical methods) and found them to be acceptable.

The APVMA is satisfied that the proposed use of metcamifen would not be an undue toxicological hazard to the safety of people exposed to it during its handling and use.

EPIVIO C Sorghum Seed Safener is for use as a seed treatment to protect it from the phytotoxic effects of S-metolachlor.

The APVMA is satisfied that the proposed use of EPIVIO C Sorghum Seed Safener would not be an undue hazard to the safety of people exposed to it during its handling and use, or the safety of people using anything containing its residues. The proposed use of the product is not likely to be harmful to human beings, animals, plants or the environment, if used according to the product label directions.

The APVMA proposes to determine that the authority is satisfied that, if used according to the product label directions, the product is effective for its proposed uses. And the proposed use of EPIVIO C Sorghum Seed Safener would not adversely affect trade between Australia and places outside Australia.

The APVMA invites any person to submit a relevant written submission as to whether the application for approval of metcamifen and EPIVIO C Sorghum Seed Safener should be granted. Submissions must be received by the APVMA within 28 days of the date of this notice (5 May 2020).