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Chemical Industry News is an e-Newsletter published by Agriculture Victoria that shares news and tips on agricultural and veterinary chemical use legislation in Victoria.

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Important industry related media

APVMA decision on reconsideration of malathion

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has published the final regulatory decision for the reconsideration of malathion (also known as maldison), an insecticide used for the control of pests in various broadacre and horticultural crops, vegetables and ornamental plants, and for veterinary and domestic uses.

The APVMA has decided to vary and affirm malathion active constituent approvals, chemical product registrations, and associated label approvals. These variations include:

  • changing the name of the active constituent from ‘maldison’ to ‘malathion’ to harmonise with the name specified in ISO 1750-1981
  • removing uses to control mosquito larvae and prohibiting direct application to water due to the risks to aquatic species
  • updating the instructions for use, including protection statements, restraints, spray drift buffer zones, re-entry and withholding periods, safety directions, and storage conditions
  • including a provision for all products containing malathion as the active constituent to have a shelf life and for the associated expiry date to be included on labels.

The APVMA has determined that a 2-year phase out period will apply to malathion products bearing the previously approved labels. After the 2-year phase out period ends, these products must be supplied with the new label that contains updated instructions.

Read more about this topic from the APVMA website.

Page last updated: 04 Jun 2024