Imidacloprid in the product Avenge Pour-On Lousicide for Sheep

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has before it an application from Bayer Australia Limited (Animal Health) for the registration of a new product, Avenge Pour-On Lousicide for Sheep, which contains the approved active constituent imidacloprid (35 mg/mL). The new product is a pour-on formulation that is to be used off-shears in sheep, for the control and eradication of body lice (Bovicola ovis), and for the protection of sheep against re-infestation with lice for 4 weeks after treatment.

To date, there are no products containing imidacloprid that are registered for use on food-producing animal species, although there are numerous veterinary chemical products registered for use on companion animals (cats and dogs). Additionally, imidacloprid is registered for use in a number of horticultural crops.

The existing Australian MRLs for imidacloprid in animal commodities were established to cover the occurrence of residues as a result of animals consuming feedstuffs containing imidacloprid residues. Therefore, the current application does not involve the establishment of Australian Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for imidacloprid in edible sheep tissues. 

However, the application does require the setting of meat and milk withholding periods (WHPs), establishment of an export slaughter interval (ESI), and approval of the proposed product label.