Changes to label recommendations for dimethoate in vegetables

BASF are informing distributors and vegetable growers of some imminent changes to the label recommendations for BASF Dimethoate 40 and Dimethoate 40. These changes are as a consequence of changes to the MRL on some crops and will mean suspension of their use on broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and lettuce. All other uses remain unchanged.

However BASF, as part of the Dimethoate Task Force, is addressing the use of dimethoate on the affected crops and hopes to remove the suspensions by the 2011 season.

The changes to the approvals for dimethoate containing products are due to be announced by The Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) at the end of March. In November 2009 the European Commission published Regulation EC 1097/2009 that sets lower Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for dimethoate on a range of crops. The new MRLs come into force from 7 June 2010.

Use of products such as BASF Dimethoate 40 (MAFF 00199) and Dimethoate 40 (MAPP 13949) on broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and lettuce will exceed the new MRLs and will be suspended from 16 April 2010. This is to ensure that treated produce has made its way through the supply chain before the new MRLs come into force.

All other uses of BASF Dimethoate 40 and Dimethoate 40 on sugar beet, fodder beet, mangels, red beet, herbage seed crops, ornamental plant production, winter wheat, spring wheat, winter rye, spring rye and triticale remain unchanged.