One of the stalwarts of ag chemicals could be off the shelves

New changes could see a stalwart livestock chemical off Australian shelves within a year. See the regulator’s proposed changes.

Some of the most well-known and used products for flystrike and lice control in sheep could soon be off the shelves

Some of the most well-known and used products for flystrike and lice control in sheep could soon be off the shelves, as the nation’s ag-vet chemical regulator proposes to cancel some uses of a key animal health chemical.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority’s proposed changes to diazinon – used in pest control for livestock – could also see certain medicated cattle tags removed.

The move could cause major issues for the sheep industry in terms of flystrike control – a condition estimated to cost more than $320 million annually – as producers scramble to find alternatives to ensure the health of their flocks.

In a 51-page gazette, published earlier this month, the APVMA said it was “not satisfied that the diazinon chemical product registrations meet the safety criteria, trade criteria and any requirement prescribed by the regulations”.

The regulator wants to cancel approvals for 15 products including Coopers and WSD flystrike powder, Coopers Gold spray-on offshears sheep lice treatment, BFD blowfly dressing and as well as Patriot Insecticide Ear Tag for cattle.

Its use as an insecticide in another five products would continue, with some labels varied.

The APVMA review is currently calling for submissions on the changes, with feedback due by June 11.

Should the regulator decide to cancel some uses of diazinon, the industry would only have access to the products containing diazinon for another 12 months.

Diazinon is an organophosphate, a substance some research considers to be carcinogenic in some forms.

Wool Producers Australia chief executive Jo Hall said the organisation would be making a submission into the review but its final position was still to be decided.

“This is a really vexed issue,” Ms Hall said.

“On one hand, wool growers face so many challenges when it comes to maintaining animal health and welfare which is a priority for us all.

“There are only a limited number of products available and with increasing resistance and the breakdown of other chemicals the last thing we can afford is to lose access to effective treatments.”

Ms Hall said it was concerning the APVMA was using “available information” in its review on the use of diazinon.

“From that, they have determined that they’re not satisfied that some of the uses meet safety and trade criteria, even if product labelling was changed or variations to product use were made,” she said.

“Perhaps there is an opportunity to seek further information on diazinon to assist these deliberations, or it could mean that there is no further information available but the APVMA is still not satisfied that diazinon meets the required safety and trade protocols.”

Ms Hall said whatever the outcome for diazinon, other products needed to be developed rapidly to assist wool growers manage animal health and welfare issues.

“We also urge the APVMA to streamline registration and scheduling processes to commercialise new, effective and cost-competitive animal health products,” she said.