Australian concern over atrazine

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has raised concerns over the continued use of the herbicide, atrazine, on triazine-tolerant canola in high-rainfall areas of southern Australia. The APVMA believes that post-emergence applications of atrazine on raised bed crops result in run-off at levels that may be potentially harmful to the environment.

 

The APVMA is urgently seeking information from stakeholders that could allow this use to continue. Any submissions would have to include evidence contradicting the APVMA's findings or provide a "workable solution" to its concern over run-off. The Authority held a meeting in November to discuss the issue with the registrant, Nufarm, and farming groups.