Hort Innovation has informed the AMS that a permit which it holds for Trichlorfon (trade names Dipterex and Lepidex amongst others) has been renewed after APVMA review. 

The renewed permit - which is for the control of macadamia lace bug, fruit spotting bug, banana spotting bug and green vegetable bug - has new stricter use restraints and a clear caution of IPM incompatibility and environmental safety.  The new use restraints are in regard to spray volume, method, spray drift and IPM incompatibility and safety, and are outlined below.

If you have been using trichlorfon, we strongly suggest you discuss these new restraints (including whether this product is appropriate for use) with your pest consultant. Before using this product, you must have read the permit and comply with all conditions on the product label.

Click here for the new permit and here for the non-performance reporting form.

RESTRAINTS 

DO NOT apply by aircraft. 

DO NOT apply in a spray volume exceeding 1500 L/ha 

SPRAY DRIFT RESTRAINTS 

Specific definitions for terms used in this section of the label can be found at apvma.gov.au/spraydrift. 

DO NOT allow bystanders to come into contact with the spray cloud. 

DO NOT apply in a manner that may cause an unacceptable impact to native vegetation, agricultural crops, landscaped gardens and aquaculture production, or cause contamination of plant or livestock commodities, outside the application site from spray drift. Wherever possible, correctly use application equipment designed to reduce spray drift and apply when the wind direction is away from these sensitive areas. 

DO NOT apply unless the wind speed is between three and 20 kilometres per hour at the application site during the time of application. 

DO NOT apply if there are hazardous surface temperature inversion conditions present at the application site during the time of application. Surface temperature inversion conditions exist most evenings one to two hours before sunset and persist until one to two hours after sunrise. 

DO NOT apply by a vertical sprayer unless the following requirements are met: 

• Spray is not directed above the target canopy. 
• The outside of the sprayer is turned off when turning at the end of rows and when spraying the outer row on each side of the application site.

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT 

Toxic to beneficial arthropods. Not compatible with integrated pest management (IPM) programs utilising beneficial arthropods. Minimise spray drift to reduce harmful effects on beneficial arthropods in non-crop areas.

PROTECTION OF WILDLIFE, FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND ENVIRONMENT 

Toxic to native mammals and birds. DO NOT use on sites where vulnerable, threatened, endangered or critically endangered mammals are known to occur. 

Very toxic to aquatic life. DO NOT contaminate wetlands or watercourses with this product or used containers. 

PROTECTION OF HONEY BEES AND OTHER INSECT POLLINATORS 

Highly toxic to bees. DO NOT apply to crops from the onset of flowering until flowering is complete unless the application is made in the time period between 2 hours prior to sunset and 8 hours prior to sunrise. DO NOT allow spray drift to flowering weeds or flowering crops in the vicinity of the treatment area. Before spraying, notify beekeepers to move hives to a safe location with an untreated source of nectar and pollen, if there is potential for managed hives to be affected by the spray or spray drift.