THE Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has issued new instructions on the use of 2,4-D products to reduce incidents of spray drift this summer. The new instructions take effect immediately.

“The APVMA is aware of spray drift incidents, especially in the past two seasons, which have damaged crops and affected Australia’s agricultural productivity,” APVMA chief executive officer, Dr Chris Parker, said.

“We have consulted with industry groups and the states and territories, and we’re confident these new label instructions will help reduce spray drift incidents.”

The new instructions include:

• a requirement not to spray in inversion conditions and additional information on recognising inversion conditions
• downwind mandatory no spray zones for both aquatic and terrestrial off target vegetation (including sensitive crops, gardens, landscaping vegetation, protected native vegetation or protected animal habitat)
• a requirement to use nozzles producing droplets no smaller than the Very Coarse spray quality category
• mandatory record keeping requirements, and
• advisory statements about spray application over summer.

Dr Parker said some users and resellers might have 2,4-D products with the old instructions on the label. These products could still be used if the new instructions were followed.

“The APVMA requires all users to follow the new instructions, even if they have the old labels. Resellers should let their customers know about the changes.”

Source: APVMA. The new instructions are available from the APVMA website.