Regulatory update #177

Chemicals in the news: glyphosate

Toxicological studies commissioned by the APVMA have indicated there is no need to revise the current Australian Acceptable Daily Intake for glyphosate, as reviewed in a July 2013 report. This follows a review of a 2011 Earth Open Source (external site) publication titled 'Roundup and birth defects: Is the public being kept in the dark?', which claimed that glyphosate was a reproductive and developmental toxicant, as well as having genotoxic, carcinogenic, neurotoxic and endocrine-disrupting potential.

We will continue to monitor literature for significant new studies on glyphosate and consider any new information that may emerge from US and Canadian reviews.

Record of approved active constituents for August 2013

The record for approved active constituents for chemical products has been updated as at 1 August 2013.

Advisory Board Communique

The Advisory Board met in Canberra on 26 July 2013. The meeting focussed on the implementation of the new agricultural and veterinary chemical legislation, which comes into effect on 1 July 2014.

The board has recently released a communiqué outlining the key issues discussed at the meeting including the APVMA's role in minor-use permits, veterinary antimicrobials, bees and pesticides and nanoregulation readiness.

Reminder—open for public consultation

The APVMA is currently seeking comment on:

• Revision to the standard for the active constituent fenoxaprop-p-ethyl – 27 August 2013
• Proposal to Amend Standard 1.4.2 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – 27 August 2013
• Proposed variation to registration of Paramite Selective Miticide containing the approved active constituent etoxazole – 2 September 2013
• Proposed registration of dirlotapide in the product Slentrol – 10 September 2013