Collecting and disseminating information on agrochemicals
Abstract
Abstract Governments around the world monitor residues of agrochemicals and set limits for amounts that are legally allowed in foods, including grapes and wine. Up-to-date information on agrochemical management is needed by Australian grape and wine producers to ensure that finished wines meet these limits and do not encounter trade barriers. This project aims to assist producers to manage agrochemical residue levels in their products. This is achieved by collating and providing accurate and timely information on regulatory and technical aspects of chemicals registered for use in Australian viticulture and the maximum residue limit (MRL) requirements in domestic and export markets.
Summary
The aim of this project was to enable grape and wine producers to manage agrochemical residue levels in wine. This was achieved by collating and providing accurate and timely information on regulatory and technical aspects of chemicals registered for use in Australian viticulture, and the maximum residue limit (MRL) requirements of those chemicals in domestic and key export markets.
The main method of conveying information to industry and other stakeholders in this project was through the collation and publication of the booklet Agrochemicals registered for use in Australian viticulture (commonly known as the ‘Dog book’). Over the course of the project, a new edition of the ‘Dog book’ was published and distributed each year, and significant changes were made to the size and structure of the publication in response to the changing demands of industry practitioners.
In addition to a hardcopy version of the ‘Dog book’, growers and winemakers could also access agrochemical information via a pdf version available from the AWRI website, the AWRI’s mobile agrochemicals app or by interrogating the online agrochemical database. All of these sources of information were kept up to date through the activities of this project.
The project team monitored potential pest, disease and agrochemical issues through regular communications with key industry and government stakeholder networks. Changes to product information and agrochemical use options were managed in consultation with chemical suppliers, and in accordance with the fortnightly gazettes issued by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). In response eBulletins were distributed to a database of ~3,200 stakeholders, in a timely manner, to allow industry to respond to regulatory changes.
Changes to established market MRLs, or the addition of new markets, required existing agrochemical practices to be frequently re-evaluated and reviewed. Any changes were discussed with and endorsed by the industry Agrochemical Reference Group, which includes representatives of regional-based grower organisations and major wine companies.