The Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP)
has published its annual report for 1996. As usual, the report provides a
comprehensive round-up of all official reports and initiatives carried out
during the year.
The ACP gave provisional approval to
three new agricultural products. One of these was bromuconazole, a broad
spectrum systemic triazole fungicide marketed as Granit used to control a range
of diseases on winter cereals. Its aquatic effects were of note as Granit is
'dangerous to fish and other aquatic life' and bromuconazole might persist
in sediments and water with the potential for chronic effects on aquatic
invertebrates. As a result a 'no-spray zone labelling' was imposed.
Fenazaquin, a contact acaracide for control of mite pests of
apples was also given provisional approval. Formulated as Matador, the
manufacturers hope to market this product in integrated pest management (IPM)
systems in apple orchards. However the ACP found Matador is 'extremely
dangerous to fish or other aquatic life' and there was a high acute risk to
fish and free-swimming invertebrates from direct over-spray and spray drift.
Data on the effects of fenazaquin and the formulation Matador on non-target
arthropods generally suggested high toxicity to predatory mites and ladybirds
(useful in IPM programmes) at lower rates than those recommended. In light of
the manufacturers aim to promote fenazaquin in IPM, the ACP requested further
data on a wider range of non-target arthropods.
The ACP considered the existing approval of a number of
pesticides including tolclofos methyl, an organophosphate (OP) fungicide used to
control diseases of potatoes. New data on operator exposure to this OP, marketed
as Rizolex was acceptable to the ACP, although there was a need for further
personal protective equipment (PPE). Extensive contamination of equipment
(revealed by photographic record) meant operators should also use PPE during
cleaning of equipment. Data from 'adverse incidents' involving operators
suggested a need for eye protection. On the basis of these and laboratory data,
Rizolex must be labelled as 'irritating to skin, eyes and the respiratory
system.
In 1992, the ACP granted continued provisional approval for
the fungicide Kathon 886F used against surface mould during wood preservation.
After reviewing this product again, the ACP expressed concern regarding
potential toxicity to the aquatic environment and did not accept the approval
holder's proposed risk assessment. Consequently, a satisfactory analytical
method was required as a condition of continuing approval.
The ACP also oversaw the review of the ongoing UK and EU
active ingredient review programmes, which are regularly reported in Pesticides
News or Current Research Monitor.
Advisory Committee on Pesticides Annual
Report 1996, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Health and Safety
Executive, HMSO, 1997, £13.50, 70pp.
[This
article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 37,
September 1997, page 19]