• Introducing Agriculture Victoria's new Biosecurity officers - Agricultural Chemcals
• Agriculture Victoria Connect, a new system for agricultural chemical users
• Peculiarities in commodity testing
• Coming soon - Fertiliser Survey
• Notification of agricultural spraying by aircraft or mister near specified places
• Remotely piloted aircraft spraying
• Proposed changes to the use of diazinon products

Agriculture Victoria is pleased to introduce Agriculture Victoria Connect. A new online system for the application of permits and licenses for agricultural chemicals users including:

• Agricultural Chemical User Permit (ACUP)
• Pilot (Chemical Rating) Licence (PCRL)
• Agricultural Aircraft Operator Licence (AAOL).

What can I do on Agriculture Victoria Connect?

• Check the status of your application 24/7
• Manage your personal or business profiles 
• Complete transactions on your mobile device
• Pay online.

The Agriculture Victoria Connect portal is available now. To access, click Agriculture Victoria Connect.

For support, call the Biosecurity Services Centre on 1800 678 779 Mon-Fri between 9 - 4.30 pm.

Have you ever wondered how produce is tested to find out what chemicals might be present?

You may not realise these standards also include the portion of the commodity to which the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) applies, and which is analysed. These may not always be what you expect during residue testing.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) are responsible for setting MRLs for products registered for use in Australia.

• Did you know the inedible peels of avocados, citrus and mangoes are included in analysis?
• Or while the stones of peaches are not tested, the weight of the stones is factored into calculations of residues in the whole fruit?

Here are some of the testing methods employed for different horticultural commodities, and the portion of the commodity included in the residue calculation.

Stone fruit: For stone fruits e.g., peaches, plums, and cherries, the whole fruit is analysed after the removal of stems and stones. The residue is calculated on the weight of the whole fruit, excluding the stem, but including the weight of the stone.

Berries and small fruits: Berries and small fruits, including strawberries and blueberries, are tested after the removal of caps and stems. For currants, the analysis includes the fruit with the stem intact. The residue is calculated on the portion analysed.

Dates, olives, and similar fruits: For fruits with hard seeds like dates and olives, the stems and stones are removed prior to testing. The final residue is calculated including the weight of the removed portions.

Avocado, mangoes, and similar fruits: Avocados, mangoes and other similar fruits, are analysed with the skin on, but the seed removed. The final residue is calculated including the weight of the seed.

Bulb onions and green onions: Bulb onions undergo testing after the removal of roots, adhering soil, and easily detachable parchment skin. Leeks and spring onions are analysed after removal of roots and soil. The residue Is calculated on the portion analysed.

Legume vegetables: Legume vegetables, including beans and peas, are typically analysed as the whole commodity, including both the seed and pod unless otherwise specified. The residue is calculated on the same portion as is analysed.

Sweet corn and fresh corn: Residues in sweet corn, whether on the cob or fresh, are calculated based on the kernels and cob without the husk. This accounts for the residue in the edible portion of the corn while excluding non-edible parts from the assessment.

Tree nuts: Tree nuts, such as almonds and walnuts, undergo testing after the removal of shells. However, for chestnuts, the analysis and residue calculation includes the whole nut and its skin.

If you are interested in learning more about how foods are classified and tested, Table 2- Portion of the commodity to which the MRL applies (and which is analysed) of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (MRL Standard for Residues of Chemical Products) Instrument 2023 provides a comprehensive overview: Check out the APVMA website for more information.

Agriculture Victoria is about to start a survey of fertilisers throughout Victoria.

The survey will assess compliance with the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) (Fertilisers) Regulations 2015 (Fertiliser Regs). The Fertiliser Regs regulate fertilisers sold throughout Victoria for:

• heavy metal contaminants and
• fertiliser labelling requirements.

In the coming months, Agriculture Victoria will visit fertiliser suppliers throughout Victoria to conduct sampling and audits.

The samples will be tested for levels of contaminants. Audits will check the level of details found on either the label or advice note. This will be done to ensure compliance with the Fertiliser Regs.

The information from the fertiliser survey will play an important role in the review of the Fertiliser Regs and evaluating their effectiveness.

The project will contribute to Agriculture Victoria’s strategy and commitment to deliver best practice regulatory systems.

Keep an eye out for the results of the survey in future issues of CIN.

We all play a role in keeping Victorians safe from chemical spray drift.

Agriculture Victoria wants to remind land occupiers and chemical users of their responsibilities when undertaking aerial spraying or when using a mister near specified neighbourhoods.

Land occupiers and chemical users must notify responsible persons prior to spraying via aircraft or mister within 200 metres of a specified place:

1. a school - principal of the school
2. a hospital - site manager of the hospital
3. premises at which an aged care service is provided - site manager of the premises
4. premises at which a children's service is provided - person in charge of the service.

Occupiers of land within 200 metres of a specified place are responsible for notifying the responsible person:

• not less than 12 hours before spraying
• the trade name of the agricultural chemical product to be sprayed
• the location of the proposed spraying
• the proposed time, date, and duration of spraying.

When a land occupier employs someone to conduct chemical spraying, they must share the location details with the contractor. The employee or contractor, at least 24 hours before spraying, must inform the land occupier of:

• the trade name of the chemical product to be sprayed
• the proposed time, date, and duration of spraying.

This notification is crucial for ensuring compliance and protecting vulnerable individuals in our communities.

As drone technology has become increasingly popularised and improved, technology is now available that enables remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) to conduct aerial spraying. As with other forms of aerial chemical application, there are specific licencing requirements for operators and pilots.

To conduct a chemical spraying service via RPA, the business (operator) requirements are:

• acquire the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operators Certificate (ReOC) from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

With this certificate, apply for the Agricultural Aircraft Operator License (AAOL) that specifically authorises aerial spraying from RPA.

Apply using Agriculture Victoria CONNECT found on the Agriculture Victoria website.

To conduct a chemical spraying service via RPA the RPA pilot requirements are:

• holding a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) from Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)
• completing a recognised course in AgVet chemical use (or equivalent) that includes the units:

1. AHCCHM307 - Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds, and diseases
2. AHCCHM304 - Transport and store chemicals.

With these two certificates, apply for a Pilot (Chemical Rating) Licence (PCRL) with specific licence conditions for RPA use in chemical application

• apply using Agriculture Victoria CONNECT found on the Agriculture Victoria website.

Aerial chemical spraying businesses who only use RPA as the application method, do not require a SpraySafe accreditation from Aerial Agricultural Association of Australia (AAAA).

If a business uses both traditional aircraft and RPA, then a SpraySafe accreditation is required.

Additional operational requirements apply to persons undertaking aerial spraying with RPA in Victoria.

These requirements can be found on the Agriculture Victoria website.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has published its proposed decision on the reconsideration of diazinon, an insecticide and acaricide used for the control of pests in various agricultural, horticultural, commercial, and veterinary situations.

The APVMA is proposing to:

• vary and affirm chemical product registrations and associated label approvals where at least one use pattern is proposed to be supported
• cancel active constituent approvals, chemical product registrations and associated label approvals that do not meet the statutory safety, trade or labelling criteria
• vary and affirm remaining active constituent approvals to update the conditions of approval.

The proposed decision includes consideration of all current approved diazinon active constituents, registered chemical products and approved labels.

A summary of diazinon uses, which are proposed to be supported or not supported, are available on the APVMA website. A summary of the underlying risk assessments has also been published in the Review Technical Report.

Public consultation on the proposed decision is open for three months and will close 11 June 2024. The APVMA Special Gazette, 12 March 2024 includes more information about the proposed decision and how to make a submission.

Visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/chemicals for information about:

• rules and regulations on the use of agricultural and veterinary chemicals in Victoria
• licence and permit applications
• agricultural chemical control areas.

For enquiries call 136 186 or email chemical.standards@agriculture.vic.gov.au

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