Options to desiccate pulse crops ahead of harvest with herbicides known as the 'quats' will be no longer and sustainable farming practices are at risk.
This change is among several proposed changes under a review of paraquat and diquat by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), with public consultation now open until October 29.
Grain Producers Australia Southern Region Director Mark Schilling said, in coverage of the issue by Grain Central, that the fragile nature of ripening pods and the tendency for them to ripen unevenly made desiccation an important practice to ensure seed quality and yield can be maximised; in October and November, when pulses are typically harvested, the risk of losses caused by heat or wind can be reduced with timely desiccation and harvest.
"Growing pulses that can’t be desiccated may end up being an economical and risk-based decision that growers may choose to opt out," he said.
GPA is preparing a submission to the APVMA process and is calling on growers to submit evidence of automated spot-spraying practices using the herbicides in question to identify evidence of reduced and targeted use.
The practice using this technology is set to be banned under the APVMA review.
GPA Interim Chief Executive Pete Arkle said this useful information was important to the review.
“Whether this is from automated systems, Pete Arkle said.
“GPA has concerns the science being relied on in the APVMA review are not real-world examples that represent how these chemicals fit within Australian context.”
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