APVMA chemical reviews underway

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has updated its 2026-2030 reconsideration priorities, which means more chemicals are now flagged for closer review over the next few years.

The process does not mean these chemicals are immediately suspended or cancelled, but it does signal that APVMA expects to re-check the contemporary safety, residue, trade and environmental data for each one.

The APVMA has also formally commenced the review of products containing chlorpyrifos-methyl. This was expected and is not considered significant to the horticultural industry, given product label and permit uses are related to stored grain and other broadacre related crop uses.

What growers need to know

The important point is that the priorities have changed and while some reviews have been delayed (e.g. mancozeb and other dithiocarbamates), some other important horticultural chemistry will be under review, especially where there are concerns about spray drift, pollinators, residues, trade, or environmental persistence. The APVMA may also take interim action through label changes or use restrictions before a full reconsideration starts.

Chemicals on the priority list

The chemicals now prioritised for a full reconsideration include chlorpyrifos-methyl (2026), dimethoate and omethoate (2027), flupropanate (2027), methomyl (2028), phorate (2028), chlorothalonil (2029), propargite (2029), and the dithiocarbamates group (2030), including mancozeb, metiram, propineb, thiram, zineb and ziram.

The Group 4 phenoxy-carboxylate herbicides (2026): 2,4-DB, dichlorprop, MCPA, MCPB and mecoprop, are specifically being reviewed for spray drift risk with respect to the risks to sensitive vegetation areas and natural aquatic areas.

Potential impacts on horticulture

For growers, the biggest issues are likely to be:

• potential loss or heavy restrictions of important crop protection chemical uses;
• tighter use directions or buffer requirements;
• more attention to off-target drift and sensitive crops;
• potential residue and export trade impacts;
• and, for some products, increased scrutiny around bees, aquatic life and soil persistence.

Review your usage

If your business relies on any of these chemistries, it would be sensible to review your spray programs, resistance plans, residue risk, and trade exposure now, rather than waiting for APVMA action. Products may remain available for some time, but the regulatory direction is clearly toward reassessment and possible loss or label change.

More information

Further details on the chemicals prioritised for reconsideration are available on the APVMA website here.

Information on the chlorpyrifos-methyl review is available here.