On 24th, Mar 2016, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) released the omethoate residues and dietary risk assessment report, covering the residues and dietary risk arising from the treatment of food crops with omethoate. The assessment considered the available data and recommends the any of the current uses of omethoate on food crops cannot be supported.

On 22th Mar 2016, the Australia APVMA invited public consultation on the registration of Aviator Xpro Foliar Fungicide, containing the new active ingredient bixafen in combination with prothioconazole.

On 14th Mar 2016, the Brazil Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) updated the “ List of Pesticide Products for Priority Registration Review”, which includes the trade name, applicant and composition, proposed crop and pests of 68 pesticide products.

On 14th Mar 2016, China ICAMA issued the “Draft List of Pesticide, Crop and Target Combinations for the Minor Use Pesticide Registration Program” for public consultation until 28th Mar 2016, which consists of 2627 pesticide/crop/pest combinations, covering 111 crops, 250 pesticides and 240 pests/diseases.

On 10th Mar 2015, Brazil ANVISA invited public consultations on the amendment in official Pesticide Monograph of 6 active ingredients: the clethodim (herbicide), fenpropathrin (insecticide), fluxapyroxad(fungicide), lufenuron(insecticide), profenofos(insecticide) and pyraclostrobin(fungicide).The inclusion of new applicable crop on all 6 active ingredients and the MRL elevation of fluxapyroxad and pyraclostrobin on certain crops were proposed this time.    

  The Brazil ANVISA has hosted a two-day’s panel discussion with several pesticide registration involved authorities on the paraquat occupational exposure, mutagenicity, Parkinsonism and toxicological aspects relevant to the registration prohibition, which should be considered during its further reassessment.

New pesticides guidance has been finalised that harmonises the way terrestrial field dissipation studies (TFDs) are conducted in different regions of the world. The guidance was developed for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) by a working group led by EFSA, the US Environmental Protection Agency and Health Canada.     

It has been more than 2 years since Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR, Regulation (EU) 528/2012) applied on 1st September 2013. In 2016, legal deadlines of several articles are approaching, including the notification of 'in situ generated' biocidal active substances, treated article and Union Authorization.

The US EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) and the Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) have released jointly developed Residue Chemistry Data Evaluation Record (DER) templates that replace the 2001 templates. 

  The first BPR Enforcement Group (BEG) meeting will be held on 15 March 2016 which will focus on the enforcement of Article 95(2) for biocidal products and Article 94(2) for treated articles. With Several deadlines coming close, the enforcement of BPR is moving to a key period, which means that the companies of Biocidal Products and Treated Articles should pay close attention to the enforcement of BPR.