Growers are advised of confirmed and potential changes to chemical use requirements for the 2024/25 season to help Viterra maintain market access for South Australian grain.
This includes a potential reduction to the carbendazim maximum residue limit (MRL) for international markets, and nil tolerance for haloxyfop on canola at Viterra from the 2024/25 harvest.
Potential carbendazim MRL reduction
Industry has advised of international markets beginning discussions about reducing the carbendazim fungicide MRL to zero.
Currently no changes have been made. Carbendazim can still be used on pulse crops (as per the label) and cannot be used on cereals and oilseeds.
Industry advice is to use alternative fungicides on pulses and transition away from carbendazim. Growers should speak with their farm advisor for advice regarding use and alternate options.
Haloxyfop treated canola will not be received at Viterra
From the 2024/25 harvest, Viterra will not receive canola treated with haloxyfop. Growers were advised of this change prior to last harvest, giving them the opportunity to review chemical use.
Last year, the European Union (EU) announced its intention to reduce the MRL for haloxyfop on canola. This has since been confirmed, and the regulatory change will come into effect from 19 August 2024.
As Viterra will not receive haloxyfop treated canola, it will continue to require a haloxyfop declaration for all canola deliveries. Accurate declarations are crucial to ensure Viterra can maintain access to the EU market.
Industry advised growers to not use haloxyfop on canola from the 2023/24 season onwards to meet the EU’s expected new MRL. Viterra thanks growers for transitioning to alternate herbicides, helping maintain access to this premium market for all South Australian growers.
Traceability and chemical residue testing
Viterra will continue to conduct chemical residue testing on composite partition samples throughout harvest to ensure it can maintain market access for South Australian grain.
If contaminated grain is detected in its segregations, the contamination procedure will be implemented. Through Viterra’s traceability programme, chemical use can be traced back to the individual grower.