The Australian oilseed community has advised farmers that the use of haloxyfop in canola is not permitted in 2023/24 growing season.
Haloxyfop is used for the post-emergent control of a wide range of annual and perennial grass weeds in grain legume and oilseed crops, lucerne, medic and clover pasture and seed crops, forestry, bananas, citrus, grapes, pineapples, pome and stone fruit, pyrethrum, tropical fruit and nut crops as specified in the Directions for Use.
Australian canola growers are notified that European Union has announced a reduction to the maximum residue limit (MRL) for haloxyfop. Canola treated with the pesticide cannot be delivered or received into The Australian grain handling system for export.
The decision comes after the European Union in 2020 placed limitations maximum residue levels for several substances including flonicamid, haloxyfop and mandestrobin.
According to the Official Journal of the European Union, "haloxyfop-P is harmful if swallowed and is harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects based on the ECHA classification; whereas haloxyfop-P has shown effects of hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats following exposure to haloxyfop-P-methyl."
A study published by the National Library of Medicine, found significant changes to the reproductive organs of male rats stating "morphological changes in the testis of rats."
France has banned the use of the chemical since 2007 in agricultural and non agricultural applications.
Key Points for canola growers
Growers are advised to not use haloxyfop on canola from the 2023/24 season for export.
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.
Applying haloxyfop to canola according to current Australian label directions would create residues above the expected new EU MRL.
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.
This decision is only for the use of haloxyfop on canola and applies to both GM and non-GM canola for export
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.
Written with assistance from Australian Oilseed Community Media Release
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