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Maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides registered for use on Australian pome fruit (apple and pears)

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Information Bulletin - April 2009

This information bulletin provides a list of maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides registered1 for use in Australian on apples and pears. Listed in the table are MRLs for Australia, as established by Food Standards Australia New Zealand and a number of countries to which Australian apples and pears are exported as at April 2009. The main purpose of this bulletin is to inform growers, packers and marketers of the export requirements for pesticide residues. The critical element of this information is that Australian MRLs do not apply to other countries, and even though a chemical may be registered in Australia, this may not be the case in another country. In Australia if an MRL is ‘not set’, generally a zero tolerance applies (refer to end of table for full details).

Disclaimer: Although the Australian Government has exercised due care and skill in the preparation and compilation of this publication, it does not warrant its accuracy, completeness, currency or suitability for any purpose. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Australian Government disclaims all liability including liability in negligence for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred by persons as a result of accessing, using or relying upon any of the information or data set out in this publication. Before relying on the material in any matters, users should carefully evaluate its accuracy, currency, completeness and relevance for the purposes intended, and should obtain any appropriate professional advice relevant to their particular circumstances

Maximum residue limit (mg/kg) for apples and pears

Active ingredient1

Australia2

Canada3

Codex4

European Union5

Indonesia6

Japan7

Malaysia8

Singapore9

Taiwan10

United States2

ORGANOPHOSPHATE INSECTICIDES

azinphos-methyl

2.0

2.0

2.0

0.05

1.0

2.011

not set

1.0

2.0

not set

chlorpyrifos

T0.5

0.01 (A)

1.0

0.50

1.0 (A)

1.0 (A), 0.5 (P)

not set

1.0 (A), 0.5 (P)

1.0

0.01 (A), 0.05 (P)

diazinon

0.5

0.75

0.3

0.01

0.5

0.1

not set

0.5

1.0

0.5

dimethoate

5.0

2.0

1.0 (P)

0.02

1.0

1.0

not set

2.0

not set

2.0 (pear)

fenitrothion

0.5 (A), 0.1 (P)

not set

0.5 (A)

0.01

0.5

0.2

not set

2.0 (A), 0.5 (P)

not set

not set

fenthion

2.0

not set

not set

0.01

2.0

2.0

not set

2.0

not set

not set

malathion

2.0 (A), 0.5 (P)

2.00

0.5 (A)

0.50

2.0 (A), 0.5 (P)

0.5

not set

2.0 (A)

not set

8.0

methidathion

0.2

0.5

0.5 (A0, 1 (P)

0.05

0.5

0.5 (A), 1.0 (P)11

not set

0.2

not set

0.05

omethoate

2.0

not set

not set

not set

not set

1.011

not set

see dimethoate

0.2

see dimethoate

parathion

not set

1.0

not set

0.05

not set

0.3

not set

not set

not set

not set

parathion-methyl

T0.5

not set

0.2 (A)

0.02

0.2

0.2

not set

not set

not set

not set

prothiofos

0.05

not set

not set

not set

not set

0.3 (A), 0.1 (P)

not set

not set

not set

not set

trichlorfon

0.1

not set

not set

1.00

2.0 (A)

2.0 (A), 0.5 (P)

not set

0.1

not set

not set

ORGANOCHLORINE INSECTICIDES

aldrin and dieldrin

E 0.05

not set

E 0.05

0.01

0.05

ND

not set

0.05

not set

0.03

DDT

E 1.0

not set

not set

0.05

1.0

0.2

not set

1.0

not set

0.1

Dicofol

5.0

3.0

not set

0.02

5.0

3.0

not set

5.0

not set

not set

Endosulfan

1.0

2.0

not set

0.05 (A), 0.3 (P)

2.0

1.0

2.0

2.0

not set

1.0 (A); 2.0 (P)

Heptachlor

not set

not set

not set

0.01

not set

0.0111

not set

not set

not set

0.01

Lindane (gamma HCH)

E 2.0

3.0

not set

0.01

0.5

2.0 (A), 1.0 (P)

not set

0.5 (A)

not set

not set

SYNTHETIC PYRETHROID INSECTICIDES

Bifenthrin

0.05 (A), 0.5 (P)

not set

0.5 (P)

0.30

not set

1.0 (A), 0.5 (P)

not set

not set

1.0

0.5 (P)

Cypermethrin

1.0

1.0 (A), 0.5 (P)

2.0

1.00

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

not set

Fluvalinate

0.1 (A)

not set

not set

not set

not set

0.5 (A), 2 (P)

not set

not set

not set

not set

Pyrethrin

1.0

1.0

not set

1.00

not set

1.0

not required

1.0

not set

1.0

OTHER INSECTICIDES / MITICIDES

Abamectin

0.01

0.02

0.02

0.01

not set

0.0211

not set

not set

not set

0.02

Bifenazate

2.0

0.6 (A)

0.7

0.01

not set

2.0

not set

not set

not set

0.75

Carbaryl

5.0

5.00

T 5.0 (P)

0.05

5.0

1.0 (A)11, 5.0 (P)11

not set

5.0

1.0

12

Chlorfenapyr

0.5

not set

not set

0.05

not set

2.0 (A), 1.0 (P)

not set

not set

0.5 (Wax apples and pears)

not set

Clofentezine

0.1

0.50

0.5

0.50

0.5

1.0 (A), 0.5 (P)

not set

not set

not set

0.5

Fenbutatin oxide

3.0

3.00

5.0

2.00

5.0

5.0

not set

5.0

2.0

not set

Fenoxycarb

2.0

not set

not set

1.00

not set

2.011

not set

not set

not set

not set

Fenpyroximate

0.3

not set

0.3 (A)

0.20

not set

0.5 (A), 1.0 (P)

not set

not set

not set

0.4

Hexythiazox

1.0

not set

0.5

1.00

not set

1.0

not set

not set

0.5

0.3

Imidacloprid

0.3 (A)

0.5 (A), 0.6 (P)

0.5 (A), 1 (P)

0.50

not set

0.5 (A), 1.0 (P)11

not set

not set

0.5 (P)

0.5 (A), 0.6 (P)

Indoxacarb

2.0

not set

0.5 (A), 0.2 (P)

0.5 (A), 0.3 (P)

not set

1.0 (A)11, 0.9 (P)11

not set

not set

not set

1 (A), 0.2 (P)

Methomyl

1.0 (A), 3.0 (P)

0.5 (A)

0.3 (P)

0.20

2.0 (A)

3.011

not set

5.0 (A)

0.5

1.0 (A)

Piperonyl butoxide

8.0

8.00

not set

not set

8.0

8.011

not set

8.0

not set

8.0

Pirimicarb

0.5

0.5 (A)

1.0

2.00

not set

1.0

not set

1.0

not set

not set

Propargite

3.0

not set

3.0 (A)

3.00

5.0

3.0 (A)11, 5.0 (P)11

not set

3.0

not set

not set

Pyridaben

0.5

0.5 (A), 0.75 (P)

not set

0.50

not set

2.0

not set

not set

0.5

0.5 (A), 0.75 (P)

Spinosad

0.5

0.1 (A)

0.1 (A)

1.00

not set

0.5 (A), 0.5 (P)11

not set

not set

not set

0.2

Tebufenozide

1.0

1.0

1.0

0.20

not set

1.0 (A), 1.0 (P)11

not set

not set

0.5

1 (A), 1.5 (P)

Tebufenpyrad

1.0

not set

not set

0.02

not set

0.5

not set

not set

not set

not set

Tetradifon

5.0

5.00

not set

not set

not set

1.011

not set

not set

not set

not set

Thiacloprid

1.0

0.30

0.7

0.30

not set

2.011

not set

not set

not set

0.3

PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS

Aminoethoxyvinylglycine

0.1 (A)

not set

not set

not set

not set

0.09 (A), 0.08 (P)

not set

not set

not set

0.08

Benzyladenine

0.2 (A), T 0.2 (P)

not set

not set

not set

not set

0.111

not set

not set

not set

Not required (A)

Diphenylamine

10.0 (A), 7.0 (P)

5.0 (A)

10.0 (A), 5.0 (P)

5.0 (A), 10.0 (P)

5.0 (A)

10.0 (A)11, 5.0 (P)11

not set

5.0

not set

10.0 (A), 5.0 (P)

Ethephon

1.0 (A)

3.0 (A)

5.0 (A)

0.5 (A), 0.05 (P)

5.0 (A)

5.0 (A), 3.0 (P)

not set

not set

2.0

5.0 (A)

Paclobutrazol

1.0

not set

not set

0.50

0.5 (A)

0.5 (A), 1.0 (P)

not set

not set

not set

not set

FUNGICIDES

Benomyl

see carbendazim

5.00

see carbendazim

see carbendazim

5.0 (A)

3.0

not set

not set

not set

7.0 (expired 1/108)

Bupirimate

1.0 (A)

not set

not set

0.20

not set

0.8 (A), 0.5 (P)

not set

not set

2.0

not set

Captan

10.0

5.00

25.0 T

0.20

25.0

5.0 (A), 25.0 (P)

not set

25.0

not set

25.0

Carbendazim

5.0

5.00

3.0

1.00

not set

3.011

not set

2.0

3.0

not set

Cyprodinil

0.05

0.10

0.05 (A)*, 1 (P)

0.50

not set

5.0

not set

not set

1.0

0.1

Difenoconazole

0.3

not set

0.5

3.00

not set

1.0

not set

not set

0.5

1.0

Dithianon

2.0

not set

5.0

not set

not set

5.011

not set

not set

not set

5

Dithiocarbamates (Mancozeb, Metiram, Thiram, Zineb and Ziram)

3.0

7.00

2.0 (A), 5.0 (P)

5.00

3.0

5.011

not set

3.0, ziram 7.0

2.5

Ferbam 4.0; Mancozeb 7.0 (A), 10.0 (P); Maneb 2.0 (A); Metiram not set; Thiram 7.0 (A); Ziram 7.0

Dodine

5.0

5.00

5.0

5.00

5.0

5.011

not set

5.0

2.0

5.0

Fenarimol

0.2

not set

0.3

0.30

not set

1.0

not set

not set

0.5

0.1

Fluazinam

0.0112

not set

not set

0.05

not set

0.5

not set

not set

0.5 (P)

not set

Fluquinconazole

0.3

not set

not set

0.1 (A), 0.2 (P)

not set

0.0511

not set

not set

not set

not set

Flusilazole

0.2

0.2 (A)

0.2

0.02

not set

0.2

not set

not set

0.2

not set

Fosetyl

1.0 (A)

1.0 (A)

not set

75.00

not set

75.0 (A), 50.0 (P)

not set

not set

not set

not set

Hexaconazole

0.1

not set

not set

0.10

not set

0.5

not set

not set

1.0

not set

Imazalil

5.0

not set

5.0

2.00

5.0

5.0

not set

not set

not set

not set

Iprodione

3.0

not set

5.0

5.00

10.0

10.0

not set

10.0

5.0

not set

Kresoxim-methyl

0.1

0.50

0.2

0.20

not set

5.0

not set

not set

1.0

0.5

Myclobutanil

0.5

0.5 (A)

0.5

0.50

not set

5.0 (A), 1.0 (P)

not set

not set

0.5

0.5 (A)

Oxythioquinox

0.5

not set

not set

not set

not set

not set

not set

not set

not set

not set

Penconazole

0.1

not set

0.2

0.20

not set

0.2

not set

not set

0.2

not set

Pyrimethanil

0.05

3.00

7.0

5.00

not set

5.0 (A), 1.0 (P)

not set

not set

not set

14.0

Thiabendazole

10.0

10.00

3.0

5.00

10.0

3.011

not set

10.0

5.0

5.0

Triadimefon

1.0 (A)

not set

3.0

0.2 (A), 0.1 (P)

not set

0.5

not set

0.5

0.5

1.0

Trifloxystrobin

0.3

0.50

0.713

0.50

not set

3.0 (A)11, 0.7 (P)11

not set

not set

1.0 (Wax Apple); 0.5 (P)

0.5

Triforine

1.0

not set

2.0 (A)

2.00

2.0 (A)

2.011

not set

2.0 (A)

1.0

not set

HERBICIDES - Ureas

Diuron

0.5

not set

not set

0.05

not set

0.0511

not set

not set

not set

0.1 (A), 1.0 (P)

Linuron

not set

not set

not set

0.05

not set

0.211

not set

not set

not set

not set

Notes to Table:

1 The registration status of the chemicals listed may vary for each commodity and in each State. Prior to using any chemical, consult the label and/or regulatory authority in your State. The persistent organochlorines (DDT, dieldrin and lindane) are not registered for use. This table does not include herbicides, pheromones and other solvents which are registered for use as they are considered to be at low risk of causing unacceptable residues in apples and pears.

2 AUSTRALIA and US: in the absence of a set MRL, zero tolerance applies.

3 CANADA The General MRL applies to foods that contain residues of agricultural chemicals (including pesticides) unless a specific MRL has been established. Regulation B.15.002(1) of the FDR establishes 0.1 ppm as the "General Maximum Residue Limit".

4 Many countries default to maximum residue limits established by CODEX including ALGIERS, ANGOLA, BAHAMAS, BANGLADESH, BARBADOS, COLOMBIA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, EGYPT, HONDURAS, HONG KONG, JORDAN, LEBANON, NICARAGUA, PAKISTAN, PANAMA, PERU, PHILIPPINES, THAILAND, TRINIBAD& TOBAGO, TUNISIA AND VENEZUELA.

5 EUROPEAN UNION - Has a default value of 0.01ppm in the event of no MRLs listed. For export to the UK please refer to the EU MRLs.

6 INDONESIA will defer to Codex if there is no national MRL.

7 JAPAN - has set a general limit if there is no MRL set indicating the amount unlikely to cause damage to human health that the provision of Paragraph 3, Article 11 of the Food Sanitation Law requires the Minister to set is 0.01 ppm.

8 MALAYSIA: For those values listed as 'not set', refer to the corresponding Codex value. If no Codex MRL exisits a default MRL of 0.01 mg/kg then applies.(Regulation 41).

9 SINGAPORE: In the absence of a set MRL, default to the Codex level.

10 TAIWAN: In the absense of a set MRL, except for those import tolerances developed, a zero tolerance applies.

11 Provisional MRLS

12 MRL or EMRL is set at or about the limit of determination

13 Codex Interim MRL (2005-2009)

'A' Apple 'P' Pear Otherwise refers to both.

'not set' denotes that no MRL has been established, refer to details above for each countries default value.

'not required' denotes that no MRL has been established, and any detection is permissible.

'T' denotes that the MRL residue definition or use is temporary to enable further experimental work to be carried out in Australia or overseas, and will be reconsidered at some further date. This symbol is also used in cases where the MRL is being phased out.

'E' Extraneous MRL (Australia) means the maximum permitted limit of a pesticide residue, arising from environmental sources other than the use of a pesticide directly or indirectly on the food, expressed in milligrams of the chemical per kilogram of the food (mg/kg).


This table has been compiled with reference to the information obtained from the following Food/Agricultural Authorities or publications:

Australia - Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) 'Standard 1.4.2' (Australia only) Amendment 105, dated 15 February 2009
http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/thecode/foodstandardscode.cfm.
The MRLs set in the Code are based on those established by APVMA in the MRL Standard [http://www.apvma.gov.au/], and may vary slightly due to delays in the legislative process.

Canada - List of Maximum Residue Limits Regulated Under the Pest ControlCanadian MRLs established as of 19 November 2008
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/alt_formats/pacrb-dgapcr/pdf/pest/protect-proteger/food-nourriture/mrls-lmr-eng.pdf

Codex - Codex Alimentarius Commission. FAO/WHO Food Stds Codex Alimentarius Pesticide Residues in Food - MRLs & Extraneous MRLs - (Last update 30 March 2009)
http://www.codexalimentarius.net/mrls/pestdes/jsp/pest_q-e.jsp

European Union - The EU pesticide residues database provides for a search tool for all the EU-MRLs set in Reg. (EC) No 396/2005. MRLs updated on 03/04/2009
http://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/protection/pesticides/index_en.htm

Indonesia - Joint Decision by the Ministers for Health and Agriculture No. 881/Menkes/SKB/VIII/1996, No. 771 /Kpts/TP.270/8/1996 concerning Maximum Limits of Pesticide Residues in Agricultural Products available on the Ministry of Agriculture website [http://www.deptan.go.id/], downloaded March 2005. Note: Indonesia is in the process of draft new regulations for MRLs, which was expected to be released during 2005. No information on this has been obtained yet.

Japan - Positive List System for Agricultural Chemical Residues in Foods updated 5 February 2007
http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/topics/foodsafety/positivelist060228/index.html

Malaysia - Laws of Malaysia. Food (Amendment ) Regulations 2004 available on the Ministry of Health Food Safety and Quality Division website [http://www.moh.gov.my/fqc/index.htm] downloaded March 2005. Link to the Sixteeth Schedule (Regulation 41) Pesticide Residues:
http://fsis.moh.gov.my/fqc/ReferenceBooks/FRschedule/sc16_reg41/Schedule16_reg41.htm

Singapore - Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation - The Sale of Food Act (Chapter 283), 1990 edition and all amendments up to May 2004.

Taiwan - Department of Health, Taiwan, ROC. Food Sanitation - Pesticide Residue Limits in Foods (DOH Food No. 0960402905), from the Department of Health Website [http://food.doh.gov.tw/] amended 11 May 2007.
http://www.doh.gov.tw/ufile/doc/Pesticide%20Residue%20Limits%20in%20Foods9607.pdf

USA - e-CFR Data is current as of April 6, 2009 TITLE 40--Protection of Environment CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCYSUBCHAPTER E--PESTICIDE PROGRAMS PART 180--TOLERANCES AND EXEMPTIONS FOR PESTICIDE CHEMICAL RESIDUES IN FOOD
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=2bfde6952266d018c52f77953f6287b9&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40cfr180_main_02.tpl