Related Websites
Onion program 2008-2009
Other format
This information is also available in the following format:
PDF [3.1mb]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 22 animal and 26 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, for industry and for government programs.
The program is funded by an onion industry levy of 40 cents per tonne.
Residue testing results 1994-2009
| Chemicals | Number of samples | Compliance (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Pesticides |
1 857 |
100.0 |
| Herbicides |
1 857 |
100.0 |
| Environmental contaminants (metals) |
1 569 |
100.0 |
Since 1994, 1 857 onion samples have been tested for residues and contaminants. The onion industry has achieved 100% compliance with Australian Standards over the past 15 years through strong quality assurance programs stipulating the appropriate use of agricultural chemicals according to good agricultural practice. The results assure customers in overseas markets of the residue integrity of Australian onions.
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.
| State | Production (%) | Collection points | Total samples | Samples tested for metals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Australia |
36.6 |
Pooraka markets packing sheds |
45 |
25 |
| Tasmania |
29.3 |
Packing sheds |
36 |
21 |
| Queensland |
8.1 |
Rocklea markets |
10 |
5 |
| Victoria |
12.2 |
Footscray markets packing sheds |
15 |
12 |
| Western Australia |
8.1 |
packing sheds |
10 |
4 |
| New South Wales |
5.7 |
Sydney markets |
7 |
2 |
| Total |
100.0 |
123 |
69 |
Pesticide screen 2008-2009 and results
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 in terms of international trade. Such chemicals include persistent chemicals such as organochlorines that are no longer used in Australian agriculture.
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 referred to the relevant jurisdiction for trace back investigation under control of use legislation.
| Group | Chemicals | Number of samples | Compliance (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pesticides | |||
| Fungicides | Benalaxyl |
123 |
100.0 |
| Carbendazim |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| Dimethomorph |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| Dithiocarbamates |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| Metalaxyl |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| Oxadixyl |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| Procymidone |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| Tebuconazole |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| Herbicides | Cyanazine |
123 |
100.0 |
| Ioxynil |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| Linuron |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| Methabenzthiazuron |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| Oxyfluorfen |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| Pendimethalin |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| Organochlorines | Aldrin and dieldrin |
123 |
100.0 |
| DDT |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| Dicofol |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| Endosulfan |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| Endrin |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| HCH |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| Heptachlor |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| Lindane (γ-HCH) |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| Organophosphates | Chlorpyrifos |
123 |
100.0 |
| Diazinon |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| Dimethoate (RD) |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| Fenamiphos |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| Malathion |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| Methidiathon |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| Parathion-methyl |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| Phorate |
123 |
100.0 |
|
| Synthetic pyrethroids | Cypermethrin |
123 |
100.0 |
| Environmental contaminants | Cadmium |
69 |
100.0 |
| Lead |
69 |
100.0 |
|
| Mercury |
69 |
100.0 |
|
All samples tested were 100% compliant with the relevant ANZFSC standards.
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. These tables can be found on the NRS website.
Contacts
General enquiries
Phone: +61 (02) 6272 3187
Fax: +61 (02) 6272 4023
Email: National Residue Survey
Postal address:
National Residue Survey
GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601
Australia
Director, National Residue Survey
Phone: +61 (02) 6272 5668Manager, plant residue testing program
Phone: +61 (02) 6272 343604 Mar 2010