Recently, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) announced its final regulatory decision on the reassessment of chlorpyrifos.

Due to worker health and safety and environmental risk considerations, APVMA believes that these risks cannot be mitigated and has decided to eliminate most agricultural and urban pest control uses of chlorpyrifos.

Those affected by this decision include 54 licensees, 52 registered products and 23 approved active ingredients. Three of these products have been de-registered and the remainder have been changed and confirmed to allow limited use. six active ingredients have been removed.

APVMA CEO Mr Scott Hansen emphasized that this decision is consistent with a series of interim decisions in 2000 and 2019, addressing key aspects of risk and aiming to reduce the risks associated with the use of certain products containing chlorpyrifos.

For example, in 2000 the registration of some household products was canceled, while in 2019 all home garden and household uses of chlorpyrifos were canceled, as well as uses that could lead to exposure of children to chlorpyrifos were canceled.

There will be a 12-month transition period for the eliminated chlorpyrifos products and the remaining products that require labeling changes.

During the 12-month transition period, the APVMA allows farmers to use products that are available in the supply chain or on the farm, but does not allow them to be manufactured or imported.

Instructions for the possession, custody, use and supply of the canceled active ingredients and chemical products are provided in the special bulletin.