Australia’s national chemical regulator has suspended the use of the insecticide dimethoate on blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries after new data showed Australians are consuming far more berries than when the chemical’s safety levels were last assessed in 2017.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) concluded that the increased intake had reduced the safety buffer between exposure and risk, prompting the need to modify usage rules.
According to APVMA chief executive Scott Hansen, the decision was made to “reinsert a safety margin,” ensuring continued consumer protection.
Regulatory changes and public response
The regulator received 22 public submissions during the consultation process launched in August, but the final data supported tighter restrictions.
Dimethoate, previously allowed with a one-day harvest interval, can no longer be used on the listed berries.
However, manufacturers may apply to re-register the product with a 14-day withholding period, which would permit its use under stricter conditions.
The APVMA stressed that current residue levels are unlikely to pose a serious health risk but said the suspension was introduced as a precautionary measure to strengthen food safety standards.
Background and international context
Dimethoate has been used in Australia since the 1950s to control more than 80 insect pests across fruits, vegetables, and grains.
It was banned in the European Union in 2019 and is classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a possible human carcinogen.
Despite these concerns, the APVMA emphasized that berries remain safe to eat, and the new withholding period aims to restore the lost safety buffer.
The updated restriction will remain in place until November 2026, allowing time for manufacturers to amend product labels or remove berries from approved use lists.
Industry impact and adaptation
Industry body Berries Australia had initially opposed the new rule, citing the importance of dimethoate in controlling the Queensland fruit fly, a pest that costs growers an estimated $300 million (circa €280 million) annually.
Chairman Anthony Poiner acknowledged the regulator’s authority and expressed support for maintaining consumer safety but warned that the new 14-day interval would make it impractical to use dimethoate during the harvest season due to the berries’ short shelf life.
The loss of dimethoate as a harvest-time tool will likely increase production costs and force growers to adapt their integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.
Poiner said growers will need to explore alternative methods to keep fruit fly numbers under control while maintaining quality and profitability.
Overall, the APVMA’s decision marks a shift toward a more precautionary approach to pesticide regulation in Australia’s berry industry, balancing consumer safety with the economic challenges facing producers.
Text and image source: www.abc.net.au
