Australia - Important notice of immediate changes for canola treated with haloxyfop

Australian canola growers and farm advisors are notified that the European Union (EU) has announced it intends to reduce the maximum residue limit (MRL) for haloxyfop.

To meet this changing MRL, this means 2023/24 canola treated with haloxyfop should not be delivered or received into the Australian grain handling system for canola segregations (grades) destined for export. This change is necessary as, if delivered, it will jeopardise market access to the EU for Australian canola. This applies to canola received in the 2023/24 season.

Whilst haloxyfop remains a legally registered product in Australia, any future use on canola, given the impending change in the EU MRL, will result in a residue detection above the new EU MRL. To maintain access into the EU market, Australian canola growers are advised of the need to use alternative weed control options for the 2023 season crop, and in future cropping programs. Potential alternatives are listed in this notice, below.

Australian canola is highly sought after in overseas export markets. To maintain its strong trading reputation and ensure continued market access, it is critical that exported canola meets import country MRLs.

This information sheet provides background on the EU’s decision, to be proactive and help inform growers and industry about these important changes.

Information on this notice has been generated and supported by the Australian Oilseeds Federation, Grains Australia, Grains Research and Development Corporation, Grain Trade Australia, the National Working Party on Grain Protection, Grain Producers Australia and GrainGrowers Limited.

Key points:

1. Growers are advised to not use haloxyfop on canola from the 2023/24 season for export.
   

2. The EU has indicated it will reduce its MRL for haloxyfop on canola from 0.2mg/kg to 0.005mg/kg. While no specific timeframe can be provided, the Australian industry expects this change to be announced in 2023.
   

3. Applying haloxyfop to canola according to current Australian label directions would create residues above the expected new EU MRL.
   

4. If haloxyfop is used, the post-harvest supply chain cannot mitigate the risk of any residues arising being present on canola above the expected new EU MRL. That is why growers and others are being advised that canola from the 2023/24 season treated with haloxyfop should not be delivered or received into the canola export segregations in the Australian grain handling system.
   

5. This decision is only for the use of haloxyfop on canola and applies to both GM and non-GM canola for export
   

6. Consideration will need to be made for any canola treated with haloxyfop from the 2022/23 or prior season that is already held on farm in storage – growers will need to speak with their respective grain traders for specific advice. The post-harvest supply chain will also need to review any stocks already held in their storages.
   

Changing European Union regulations

Industry and the Australian Government have been actively engaged with the EU on changes to haloxyfop MRLs on canola and other grains, including pulses, since a review of haloxyfop in that market was first announced in 2015. The Australian industry via the Australian government has actively engaged with the EU government authorities seeking the adoption of an MRL that would enable the continued use of haloxyfop by Australian canola growers. These submissions, however, were unsuccessful.

The new MRL is expected to be implemented sometime in the third or fourth quarter of 2023, but the exact date is not yet known. Advice about these impending changes is being provided to be proactive to ensure the 2023/24 canola crop is not treated with haloxyfop. This will also provide adequate time for growers and advisers to consider and develop alternative weed control options for this year’s canola crop.

Alternative chemistries on canola

A number of haloxyfop products are registered in Australia for the post-emergent control of a wide range of annual and perennial grass weeds in canola. The table below outlines possible alternative chemical actives for growers to consider for use on canola, noting each product varies in its suitability:

Different label directions apply for the use of each chemical and associated product. Growers should review the options and always comply with the legal label directions for any products used, paying particular attention to the maximum crop growth stage permitted at the time of application.

Residues arising from use

Residue testing by the National Residue Survey has in the past detected haloxyfop residues on canola when used according to registered label directions. Significant advocacy has been conducted to ensure industry is aware of the risk of residues above destination market limits.

Any use of haloxyfop on canola in the future is considered to have a high potential to lead to residues above the expected new EU MRL, meaning haloxyfop treated canola stocks will not be able to meet the EU canola market MRLs (Australia’s largest canola export destination), meaning market access for Australian canola will be at risk.

Post-harvest industry management systems

Australia’s post-harvest supply chain implements a range of measures to ensure canola is shipped to markets with chemical residue levels below the limits in each destination market. These management systems include actions such as:

• Use of commodity vendor declarations from growers on chemicals used on the growing crop.
  

• Segregation.
  

• Stock selection.
  

• Laboratory chemical residue analysis of grain stock.
  

• Commingling of grain during outturn.
  

While there are a number of canola export markets, when canola is received from growers, the intended market is generally not known. As such, it is not possible to segregate canola receivals based on their intended destination, over and above the existing GM versus non-GM varieties. In addition, the management systems outlined above are not considered sufficient to enable a reduction in haloxyfop residue levels below the expected new EU MRL.

Haloxyfop use on other commodities

The EU has also announced it will lower the MRL for haloxyfop on pulses. As the EU is a relatively small market for pulses, the industry is confident that management systems will be successfully enacted to manage exports of any pulses to meet the new EU MRLs for pulses when implemented. However, growers are advised to consult with their pulse grain trader prior to the use of haloxyfop this year.

Final message

All stakeholders across the value chain have a role to play to ensure the continued good reputation of the Australian canola industry in meeting export market MRLs.