NRS Brochure - Onions program

2007–2008 onion program
Chemical residue monitoring results

Overview

The National Residue Survey (NRS) was originally established in 1961 to measure pesticide residues in exported meat. Today, NRS tests for residues of agricultural and veterinary chemicals and environmental contaminants in 25 animal and 25 plant commodities including five horticultural products.

Since 1993, NRS has operated on full cost recovery, and is funded principally by levies from participating industries. The Australian Government provides funding for NRS national and international residue commitments that provide benefits for the community, industry and for government programs.

Onion residue testing results 1994–2008

Since 1994, 1 734 onion samples have been tested for residues. All samples complied with the relevant Australian Standards. This exemplary record demonstrates the commitment of onion producers and the industry to the appropriate use of agricultural chemicals according to good agricultural practice. The results assure customers in overseas markets of the residue status of Australian onions.

The program is funded by an onion industry levy of 40 cents per tonne.

Sampling

Samples of onions are collected according to NRS protocols directly from packing sheds or central markets by third party samplers who may be from relevant state departments of agriculture, the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, by accredited fruit and vegetable samplers located at city markets, or by NRS staff. Each 2 kg sample is selected at random from commercial packages, placed in containers supplied by NRS and freighted directly to the relevant laboratory for analysis. The origin and numbers of the onion samples are shown below.

Pesticide screen 2006–2008

The chemicals listed in the following table include those that may be used on crops in Australia, as well as those that may be important in terms of international trade.  Such chemicals include persistent chemicals such as organochlorines that are no longer used in Australian agriculture. This is the agreed screen for the two years 2006–2008.

Samples are tested against an agreed chemical screen that is developed in consultation with industry. If any sample shows a positive result for a chemical, further confirmatory testing is carried out. Any sample found to contravene the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (ANZFSC) is traced back to its origin by relevant state and territory authorities and appropriate action taken.

Comments on residue testing results 2007–2008

All samples tested were 100 per cent compliant with the relevant ANZFSC standards for all the chemicals tested.

Laboratory performance evaluation and proficiency testing

NRS contracts analytical laboratories to perform the relevant residue analyses. Laboratories are proficiency tested in order to ensure the validity of analytical results.

NRS continues to be an accredited provider of proficiency testing schemes. Accreditation ensures that the NRS proficiency testing system is recognised within the laboratory community as meeting internationally accepted standards and having the ability to establish the technical competence of participating laboratories.

International maximum residue limits

In consultation with Onions Australia, NRS has maintained its international maximum residue limit tables for countries that are major export markets for Australian onions. 

Maximum residue limits for onions

Contacts

General enquiries

Phone: +61 2 6272 3187
Fax: +61 2 6272 4023 
Email the NRS
www.daff.gov.au/nrs

Postal address
National Residue Survey
GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601 

Manager, plant residue testing program
Phone: +61 2 6272 3436

Director, National Residue Survey
Phone: +61 2 6272 5668