APVMA releases chlorpyrifos final regulatory decision

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has published its final regulatory decision on the reconsideration of chlorpyrifos, an insecticide used to control pests in various agricultural, commercial, and veterinary situations. Public consultation on the proposed decision closed on 11 March 2024.

The final regulatory decision has removed most agricultural and urban pest control uses of chlorpyrifos due primarily to worker health and safety and environmental risks that the APVMA does not believe can be mitigated.

There are 54 holders with a total of 52 registered products and 23 approved active constituents that have been affected by this review decision. Three products have been cancelled and remaining products varied and affirmed with limited uses allowed. Six active constituents have been cancelled. There will be a 12 month phase out period for cancelled chlorpyrifos products and for remaining chlorpyrifos products to amend their labels.

APVMA Chief Executive Officer Mr Scott Hansen said the final decision was required to remove any potential risks to users and the environment.

″The APVMA’s decision to cancel, vary, and affirm these products was based on a rigorous, evidence-based scientific review. This review was supported by a public consultation process, and multiple rounds of peer review,″ said Mr Hansen.

″We have considered all submissions and available information to inform thorough scientific risk assessments for the use of chlorpyrifos in agricultural and veterinary chemical products. A limited number of additional chlorpyrifos uses have been supported in the final regulatory decision.

″This final decision follows a number of previous interim decisions which addressed key aspects of the risk. In 2000, a number of products for use around the home were cancelled, while in 2019, all home garden and domestic uses of chlorpyrifos, as well as uses which could result in exposure of children were cancelled.

″This final decision is comparable with actions taken by international regulators, including Canada and Europe. The APVMA considered that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ruling to remove all tolerances for chlorpyrifos residues on food commodities was revoked on 28 December 2023, but this did not change the outcomes of this decision.″

The APVMA received 14 submissions during the consultation period (11 with approval to publish) on the chlorpyrifos proposed regulatory decision, and Mr Hansen thanked those organisations and individuals that provided additional data for consideration.

″The three month public peer review of our preliminary regulatory decisions are a crucial element to ensuring that all available data is taken into account before we arrive at a final regulatory decision. In this case, additional data led us to revise assumptions such as reducing the work rate assumptions for broadacre crops from 600 hectares per day to 500 hectares per day, impacting some of the decisions around worker health and safety.″

A 12 month phase out period will allow product users to use the product already in the supply chain or on farm but does not allow manufacture or import. The instructions for possession, custody, use and supply of the cancelled active constituents and chemical products are provided in the Special Gazette of 3 October 2024.

This final regulatory decision follows interim actions previously taken by the APVMA to reduce the risk associated with the use of certain products containing chlorpyrifos.