Minor Use Permits

A permit allows a person or an organisation to use agvet products in situations that would, if it were not for the issue of the permit, be an offence either against certain provisions of the federal legislation (Agvet Code) or of appropriate State control of use legislation. Permits can only be issued in response to an application for:

- a minor use
- an emergency use
- research purposes

Each State/Territory maintains its own 'control of use' legislation that determines how registered products are to be used in a manner other than the uses specified on the approved label (i.e. off-label use). The legislation can vary between states, so an off-label use may be an offence in one State (requires a permit) yet legal in another (does not require a permit). Growers should contact State Co-ordinators or the Australian Pesticides & veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for confirmation on whether a permit is required.

Minor Use Permits for the Protected Cropping Industry
On behalf of its members, the Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse Association obtained Minor Use Permits for four off-label products for use on greenhouse tomato and cucumber crops for greenhouse whitefly:

PER5919 - All States excluding Victoria *. This permit is for the use of Eco-Oil miticide/insecticide on greenhouse tomatoes for greenhouse whitefly. Eco-Oil is a botanical oil-based insecticide that blocks the breathing pores to suffocate insect pests and eggs. until 30 March 2007.

PER5920 - All States excluding Victoria *. This permit is for the use of Natrasoap and Neemtech on greenhouse tomatoes for greenhouse whitefly. Natrasoap and Neemtech are insecticidal soaps made up of fatty acid potassium salts. They work by mechanical action, blocking the breathing pores and dissolving the insects outer covering, resulting in dehydration. Valid until 30 March 2007.

PER5917 - All States excluding Victoria *. This permit is for the use of Applaud™ insecticide on greenhouse tomatoes for greenhouse whitefly. The only active constituent is buprofezen. Valid until 30 September 2008.

PER7815 - All States excluding Victoria *. This permit is for the use of Confidor insecticide on greenhouse cucumbers for greenhouse whitefly. The only active constituent is imidacloprid. Valid until 30 Novermber 2007

The following new permits have been issued by APVMA
PER7355 - All States excluding Victoria *. This permit is for the use of Vertimec miticide/insecticide on tomato, capsicum, cucumber, zucchini and squash for two-spotted mites and Melon thrips. The only active constituent is abamectin. Valid until 31 March 2007.

Abamectin is registered for use on tomatoes and capsicums and the label does not prohibit its use in greenhouses. The label does however specify a re-entry period of 24hrs for glasshouses. It also includes a restraint against overhead irrigation within 24hrs after application. Fogging and misting systems in greenhouses should be considered equivalent and therefore not used for 24hrs after application. The permit does not have any restraint concerning greenhouses, however, it has a critical use comment that states it may only be applied with a boom spray. Not many greenhouse growers use boom sprays!

* Victoria is not included in this permit because their 'control of use' legislation means that a permit is not required to legalise this off-label use in Victoria

Cancelled Registrations and Minor Use Permits used in the Protected Cropping Industry
Procymidone - This fungicide is currently under review and new label instructions for use of products issued as part of regulatory measures for this fungicide. Procymidone is sold as Sumisclex™, Cyon™, Spiral™, Fortress™, Rumble™ and Procym™. It is widely used in horticulture either as a seed dressing, pre-harvest spray or post-harvest dip for the control of various fungal diseases. It's use has been suspended on lettuce, tomatoes, strawberries, green beans, table grapes, dried grapes and stone fruit (except for blossom blight control).

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