Australia suspends dimethoate use on berries after safety-margin review

Australia’s Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has suspended the registration and label approval of products containing dimethoate for use on blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, citing a reduced safety margin between potential residue levels and acceptable dietary exposure.

The regulator said the decision, published November 11 in its official Gazette, follows new data from Food Standards Australia & New Zealand showing that national consumption of berries has risen sharply since the last dimethoate reassessment in 2017. While residues detected under approved use patterns were deemed unlikely to pose a serious health risk, the APVMA concluded the margin of safety was no longer sufficient and imposed the suspension as a precaution.

Other approved uses of dimethoate remain unaffected. During the suspension period, which lasts one year, growers may continue using the chemical on berries only under a permit requiring a 14-day harvest withholding interval. Registrants can amend labels accordingly or remove berry uses altogether to lift the suspension.

The move follows a one-month public consultation that closed in early September, during which 22 submissions were reviewed. None altered the APVMA’s assessment that existing labels might not meet safety and labelling standards under Australia’s agricultural chemical code.

Dimethoate, an organophosphate insecticide once widely used on fruits and vegetables, has faced tightening regulatory controls worldwide. The European Union banned its use in 2019, and similar reviews are underway in other markets. Australia’s decision adds to global push toward tighter residue controls, reflecting shifts in consumer consumption data and evolving standards for food safety.