Results of the recently published National Residue Survey (NRS) Grains Brochure show that the overall compliance with Australian pesticide residue standards was 99.2 per cent, in 2021–2022.
Operating within the Federal Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, the NRS helps maintain standards, through compliance with pesticide maximum residue limits (MRLs), to help facilitate vital trade and vital market access for Australian growers and industry.
This year’s NRS Grains Survey highlighted that Australian grain producers and handlers are continuing to demonstrate a high degree of good agricultural practice.
The survey showed a total of 6,568 samples were collected for analysis in the reporting period. These results were compared with the Australian standards and export samples were compared with the relevant international standards.
Grain compliance rates against the Australian MRL standards were; 99.9pc for bulk exports (4156 samples collected); 98.9pc for container exports (1581 samples collected); and 99.4pc for the domestic trade programs (831 samples collected).
“The results highlight excellent compliance with Australian standards and demonstrate the strong commitment of the grains industry to good agricultural practice. The consistently high compliance rates help maintain the reputation and integrity of Australian grains in international and domestic markets,” the NRS Grains Brochure said.
GPA RD&E Spokesperson, Andrew Weidemann said while the latest NRS survey results were positive, there was no room for complacency on pesticide application, to ensure high standards are maintained in the Australian grains industry, to support productivity and sustainability.
The NRS program involves the sampling and testing of Australian export and domestic traded grains for a range of pesticides and environmental contaminants. Representative samples are collected at export out-turn and domestic receival. Since 1993, the grains program has been funded by the NRS component of the statutory grains levy.
GPA plays a key role working with the NRS program to provide technical advice – including on annual expenditure and funding priorities. GPA also provides advice and annual confirmation to the NRS on the sampling regime and list of pesticides included.
In representing levy-paying grain producers, GPA also works with industry and government stakeholders to manage any issues that arise in the program, including communications and awareness; especially in working to reduce and prevent grain residue detections.
GPA members are engaged in NRS processes and provided input into related policy matters, through the GPA Pesticide and Technology Sub-committee.
The NRS survey also supports the grains industry in having continued access to pesticides, including those under regulatory review, through supporting data on use and residues.
The yearly summary datasets for the grains program are located on the department’s website HERE
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