Proposals to Amend the New 
Zealand ( Maximum Residue 
Levels for Agricultural 
Compounds) Food Notice   
 
New Z ealand Food Safety Discussion  Paper  No: 2021 /07 
 
 
 
Prepared for public consultation  
By New Zealand Food Safety  
  
ISBN No: 978-1-99-102610- 1 (online)  
ISSN No: 2624- 0157 (online)  
 
 
  17 December  2021 
 
 
Disclaimer  
 
While every effort has been made to ensure the information in this publication is accurate, the  
Ministry for Primary Industries  does not accept any responsibility or liability for error of fact, omission, 
interpretation or opinion that may be present, nor  for the consequences of any decisions based on this 
information.  
 This publication is available on the Ministry for Primary Industries  website at  
http://www.mpi.govt.nz/news -and-resources/publications/
  
 
 
© Crown Copyright -  Ministry for Primary Industries   
New Zealand Food Safety  Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice •  1 Contents  Page 
 
1 Request for submissions  2 
2 Introduction  3 
2.1 Establishing Maximum Residue Levels  3 
2.2 Summary of Proposed Amendments  6 
3 Proposals  8 
3.1 Proposal to delete the Notice entry for azaconazole  8 
3.2 Proposal to amend the MRL for chloramphenicol  8 
3.3 Proposal to amend the MRLs for febantel  9 
3.4 Proposal to delete the Notice entry for fenarimol  10 
3.5 Proposal to delete the Notice entry for fenbuconazole  10 
3.6 Proposal to amend the MRLs for mefentrifluconazole  11 
3.7 Proposal to amend the MRL for methomyl  12 
3.8 Proposal to delete the Notice entry for tolylfluanid  13 
3.9 Proposal to add an entry for adenosine and its 5’ -mono -,  
 5’-di-, and 5’ -triphosphates to schedule 3  13 
3.10  Proposal to add an entry for performic acid to Schedule 3  13 
 
   
2 • Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice New Zealand Food Safety  1 Request for submissions  
New Zealand Food Safety  invites public comment on this discussion document, which 
outlines proposals to amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural 
Compounds) Food Notice (Notice) . 
 
For each compound  you are commenting on, please clearly answer the following questions. 
Any additional comment is welcome, along with supporting discussion, and data or examples 
to illustrate particular points.  
 
Do you oppose a  MRL  in Schedule 1 or listing in Schedule 3 being set or deleted  at all  
for this compound or for a commodity?  
 
If a MRL  in Schedule 1  or listing in Schedule 3  is to be set for this compound for the 
commodity, do you disagree with the level s or conditions  proposed? If so, why do you 
disagree?  
 
On balance, do you oppose any of the commodity MRLs in Schedule 1 or details of the 
listing in Schedules 3 proposed for this compound? 
 
 
Submissions close at 5pm on 15 February  2022 . Your c omments should be sent to:  
MRL Amendments  
New Zealand Food Safety  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
Email: MaximumResidueLevels@mpi.govt.nz . 
Please include your name and address on your submission. If you are making comments on behalf of an organisation, also include your title and the name of the organisation.  
Please make sure your comments can be clearly read, as a number of copies of your 
submission may be made.  
 
The Official Information Act  
The Official Information Act 1982 (the OIA) states that information is to be made available 
unless there are grounds for withholding it. The grounds for withholding information are 
outlined in the OIA.  Submitters may wish to indicate any grounds for withholding information 
contained in their submission.  Reasons for withholding information could i nclude that 
information is commercially sensitive or that the submitters wish personal information such 
as names or contact details to be withheld.  MPI will take such indications into account when 
determining whether  to release information.  Any decision to withhold information requested 
under the OIA may be reviewed by the Ombudsman.  
 
  
New Zealand Food Safety  Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice •  3 2 Introduction  
Agricultural compounds are natural or synthetic substances used in the  direct  management 
of plants and animals , and include all agricultural chemicals (e.g. fungicides, herbicides,  and 
insecticides) , veterinary medicines, and other compounds used to maintain plant and animal 
health and productivity.  Growers and farmers use these agricultural compounds to manage 
disease in animals and crops, protect the food supply, and maximise the quantity and quality 
of the food they grow.  
Agricultural compound use can leave residues in the food harvested from treated crops and 
animals. To manage these residues, it is important to ensure that only the appropriate 
amount of an agricultural compound is used to achieve its intended purpose and leave the 
smallest amount of residue practicable without compromising the compound’s efficacy. The set of principles and methods used to manage that balance is known as good agricultural 
practice (GAP ). These principles apply to the production of safe and good quality 
horticultural , agricultural,  and animal products.  Maximum residue levels (MRLs) are then 
established for each compound/food commodity combination by evaluating the residues left 
in food commoditie s as a result of the highest authorised GAP use  (the ‘critical GAP’) .  This 
value is compared against the health- based guidance value before  a maximum level of 
agricultural compound residue allowable in that food commodity  is set . How the MRLs are 
determined, and how they are used once they have been set, are explained in more detail below.   
MRLs are the maximum legal levels for residues of agricultural compounds permitted in food 
for sale in New Zealand. They are established based on domestic uses of a particular 
compound, and are used to monitor GAP compliance in New Zealand while ensuring food 
safety. Bec ause they are based on New Zealand authorised uses according to domestic 
GAP, MRLs may differ from those established overseas for a similar use because their GAP 
may be different.  However, as noted below, imported food can also comply with Codex MRLs.  
To meet New Zealand’s obligations under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary Measures (the SPS Agreement) , proposals for new and amended MRLs are 
notified to the World Trade Organization. Any country may choose to comment if they bel ieve 
a proposed MRL represents a barrier to their trade.  
2.1 ESTABLISHING MAXIMUM RESIDUE LEVELS  
2.1.1 Regulatory Structure  
Maximum residue levels are the maximum legal levels of agricultural compound residues  
permitted in food for sale in New Zealand, and are set out in the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice. This Notice is updated up to four 
times a year to reflect changes in the use of agricultural compounds in the production of 
food. The Notice is available from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) New Zealand 
Food Safety website at: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/19550- maximum -residue-
levels -for-agricultural -compounds .  
New Zealand Food Safety administers the Notice, with the final decision on any changes to 
the Notice resting with the Director -General of MPI. The Notice is issued under section 405 
of the Food Act 2014. When setting or amending MRLs, the Director -General must follow, as 
far as practicable, international best practice on dietary intake assessment and setting of 
maximum residue levels.  The requirements for the content of the Notice are set out in Part 6  
4 • Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice New Zealand Food Safety  of the Food Regulations 2015 (the Food Regulations) , allowing for the setting  of MRLs for 
agricultural compounds as well as specifying compounds to which no MRL applies .  
In addition to establishing the requirements for domestically produced foods, Part 6 of the 
Food Regulations  also outlines the residue level compliance requirements for imported 
foods. Regulation 144 states that food must not contain residues of agricultural compounds  
unless the residue level  does not exceed : 
- the MRLs specified for that food in a notice set under the Food Act 2014 
(regulation 144(1)(a)); or  
- the default MRL of 0.1 mg/kg ( regulation  144(1)(c)); or  
- for imported food, the current editions of either the Maximum Residue Limits 
(MRLs) and Extraneous Maximum Residue Limits (EMRLs) for Pesticides (Codex 
Pesticides Residues in Food Online Database), or the Maximum Residue Limits 
for Veterinary Drugs in Food (Codex Veterinary Drug Residue in Food Online 
Database) ( regulation 144(1)(d)).  
These provisions  allow for New Zealand Food Safety to set MRLs for imported food 
commodities when such l evels are required. As imported f ood commodities can comply with 
either a Codex MRL or a MRL established in the Notice, New Zealand’s obligations under the 
SPS Agreement are met.  
On the whole, the  Food  Regulations allow for the management of residues in all foods 
consumed in New Zealand.  
2.1.2 Determining Maximum Residue Levels  
The first step in determining MRLs for an agricultural compound is establishing GAP for the 
use of the compound in the target species or crop. New Zealand Food Safety establishes 
GAP by evaluating public health, crop sa fety, animal health and safety, occupational , and 
environmental safety considerations for the range of treatments and use patterns  approved 
and proposed for each compound. Once GAP has been established for an agricultural 
compound, the residues resulting f rom the highest authorised dose or application rate and 
use pattern , which is likely to give rise to  the highest residues  (the ‘critical GAP’)  is then used 
to determine the maximum residue levels (MRLs) in food commodities from  treated crops 
and animals that will ensure conformance to New Zealand GAP .  
Although the primary function of MRLs is to ensure conformance with established New 
Zealand GAP, the MRLs also play a role i n managing dietary exposure and risks to trade in 
food commodities. To ensure the MRLs w ill effectively manage residues related to those 
risks, a national estimated daily intake or NEDI calculation is conducted to evaluate 
consumption risk  and a  review of all international MRLs for the compound/commodity 
combinations being considered is completed to evaluate trade risk. If it is found that the MRL 
being considered may pose a food safety or trade risk,  the proposed MRL is not progressed.   
Where it has been determined that MRLs can be set, those MRLs are proposed for inclusion 
in the Notice. Animal commodity MRLs will be proposed for the species in which a veterinary 
medicine is approved for use. MRLs may be proposed for a specific species (e.g. cattle, 
chicke n) or a species group (e.g. mammalian, poultry) depending on the residue and 
metabolism  profile of the agricultural compound being considered. Where an agricultural 
chemical is used on a crop from which both food and feed commodities are derived, MRLs 
will be proposed for both the crop intended for human consumption and animal commodities 
for th e species or species group  to which the feed commodity is fed. If an agricultural 
chemical is only used on an animal feed commodity such as pasture  from which there are no 
foods harvested for human consumption, only animal commodity MRLs will be proposed.    
New Zealand Food Safety  Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice •  5 2.1.3 Estimat ing Chronic Dietary Exposure    
National estimated daily intake  
The objective of the estimated chronic dietary exposure is to determine whether residues in 
food commodities will pose an unacceptable risk to consumers as a result of the authorised 
use of an agricultural compound according to established GAP. This exposure is estimated 
by calculating the national estimated daily  intake  (NEDI ) in accordance with Guidelines for 
predicting dietary intake of pesticide residues (revised) [World Health Organization, 1997] . 
The N EDI calculation uses  the total residues in food derived from all New Zealand authorised 
uses of an agricultur al compound,  including all toxicologically significant residues,  and 
regional dietary consumption data derived from the 1997 National Nutritional Survey for 
adults and the 1995 National Nutrition Survey of Australia for children. The calculated NEDI 
is the n compared with the  health based guidance value (HBGV)  associated with the 
compound; if the total residues derived from all uses of the agricultural compound is estimated to be less than the HBGV, the dietary exposure is unlikely to pose a health risk to 
consumers.   
Health Based Guidance Values  
The HBGV used in determining the estimated dietary exposure may be either a Potential 
Daily Exposure (food) (PDE (food)) or an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI). The ADI and PDE (food ) 
are largely equivalent as they are determined using the same set of toxicology data and 
through a very similar scientific proces s. Both values are reported as milligrams of compound 
per kilogram bodyweight per day (mg/kg bw/d).  
A PDE (food) is a value det ermined by a toxicological evaluation by the New Zealand 
Environmental Protection Authority ( NZ EPA) as part of its responsibility for managing public 
health under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996.  A PDE (food) gives the 
potential daily exposure to a substance that  a person may be subject to via food, and is the 
food- specific part of a set of values for different exposure pathways comprising the NZ EPA’s 
assessment of acceptable daily exposure (ADE) for an agricultural compound.  
An ADI i s defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “the daily intake which, during 
an entire lifetime, appears to be without appreciable risk on the basis of all the known facts at 
the time”. “Without appreciable risk” has been further defined as: “the pr actical certainty that 
injury will not result even after a lifetime of exposure”. ADIs are established by the WHO and 
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations joint expert committees, 
which are made up of toxicologists and residue spec ialists. The ADI information from these 
joint committees also feeds into the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which sets 
international MRLs.  
New Zealand Food Safety  uses the PDE (food) set by the NZ EPA as the HBGV for the 
estimation of dietary expos ure when one is available. If there is no PDE (food), the NEDI  is 
compared with an  ADI set by the WHO/FAO joint expert committees, the Australian 
Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, the European Food Safety Authority, or 
another regulatory author ity. If none of these are available, the HBGV used will be a New 
Zealand Food Safety -determined ADI.   
2.1.4 International MRLs and Trade  
Because New Zealand MRLs are based on domestic GAP, they may differ from th e MRLs  
established overseas  for the use of the s ame compound in the same target species or crop if 
the GAP us ed to set those  MRLs are different . To ensure the New Zealand MRLs will not 
unduly impact trade, the MRLs set by Codex and a selection of other international regulatory 
bodies  are reviewed to evaluate trade risk.   
6 • Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice New Zealand Food Safety  For animal commodities, the MRLs set by Australia, Canada, China, Codex, the European 
Union, Japan, and the U nited States  are reviewed and compared; for horticultural 
commodities, MRLs set by Codex and Australia are reviewed and compared. Other 
international MRLs are also reviewed and compared if there is a particular trade risk to be 
considered for those regions.   
Where there are international MRLs to be considered in the trade assessment  for the 
proposal , these are included in a table in the “Relevant International MRLs” section of each 
proposal entry. This table includes all MRLs for the agric ultural compound/ food commodit y 
combinations for which new or amended New Zealand MRLs are being proposed; 
international MRLs for other commodities for which New Zealand MRLs already exist are not 
included. If there are no MRLs set by an international authority for a particular 
compound/commodity combination, the authority is not listed in the table.  
2.1.5 Agricultural Compounds for Which No Maximum Residue Level Applies   
Not all agricultural compounds require an  MRL to manage their use in crops or animals . This 
may be because there are no residues present due to the  properties of the  compound such 
as rapid elimination from the plant, animal, or their environment,  or because there are no 
food safety or trade risk s associated with the residues that are present. Regulation 141 of the 
Food Regulations allow s for the listing of specified compounds that fit these criteria as 
agricultural chemicals or veterinary medicines for which no MRL applies. These compounds 
are listed in Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 of the Notice, respectively , and the conditions of 
listing can be set  for a particular use, a partic ular animal or crop, or general use as an 
agricultural chemical or veterinary medicine.  
Agricultural chemicals and veterinary medicines being considered for  listing as compounds 
for which no MRL applies undergo a similar scientific assessment of their use as that 
undertaken for MRL assessment. This assessment is done in accordance with international 
methodologies published by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development 
(OECD), International Cooperation on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for 
Registration of Veterinary Medicinal Products (VICH), or FAO. It includes establishing the 
GAP use of the compound, the relevant metabolism and residue information, and the potential risks posed to public health and trade.  The assessment may also in clude an 
assessment of dietary exposure when considered necessary to fully assess the risks.  
Where New Zealand Food Safety has determined that an  MRL is not required, the compound 
is proposed for list ing in Schedule 2 (for agricultural chemicals)  or Schedule 3 (for veterinary 
medicines) with conditions on their use to ensure the listing applies only to those situations 
that have been evaluated. If a compound listed in Schedule 2 or 3 is used in a way that does 
not meet  the specified condition, the default MRL applies  to food derived from treated plants  
or animals. Each proposal for inclusion in Schedule 2 or 3 includes a discussion of the 
rationale behind the considerations for listing , and a discussion of the assessed risks  and 
proposed conditions .  
2.2 SUMMARY OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS  
The proposed MRLs have been thoroughly assessed in accordance with international methodologies published by the O ECD,  VICH, or FAO . Information on the technical 
assessment of each proposal is i ncluded in this document (refer section 3) and covers:  
• the new or amended entry proposed for inclusion in the Notice;  
• the rationale for the new entry or amendment being proposed ; 
• New Zealand good agricultural practice for the compound and target crop or species ; 
• the relevant residues information used in determining the proposed MRLs ;  
New Zealand Food Safety  Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice •  7 • a summary of the dietary risk  and public health assessment ; and 
• the MRLs set by Codex and other authorities (e.g.  Australia, Canada, China, EU, 
Japan, USA)  relevant to the new or amended entry.  
Where an existing entry is proposed for revision, new or revised entry content is listed in bold 
print, and content proposed for removal is  identified by a strikethrough.  
The MRL compliance and dietary risk assessment residue definitions are included in the 
residues information section of the proposal . The HBGV used to compare to the NEDI 
calculation and determine the potential public health risk is included in the dietary risk and 
public health assessment section of the proposal .  
2.2.1 Amendments to Schedule 1 : Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds  
MPI proposes to make the following changes to Schedule 1 of the Notice : 
• The amendment of the existing entries in the Notice for the following compounds:  
• Chloramphenicol , to amend the MRL for ‘any food’ from 0.0003(*) mg/kg to 
0.00015(*) mg/kg;  
• Febantel , to amend the  MRLs to 0.05 mg/kg in mammalian fat, 0.05 mg/kg in 
mammalian kidney, 0.5 mg/kg in mammalian liver, and 0.05 mg/kg in 
mammalian meat;  
• Mefentrifluconazole , to set MRLs at 0.07 mg/kg in grapes, and 0.01(*) mg/kg in 
pome fruits ; and 
• Methomyl , to remove  the M RL for ‘pome fruits’.  
• The removal of the entries in the Notice for azaconazole, fena rimol, fenbuconazole, 
and tolylfluanid.  
(*) indicates that the maximum residue level has been set at or about the limit of analytical quantification.  
2.2.2 Amendment s to Schedule 3: Veterinary Medicines for which No Maximum Residue Level 
Applies  
• MPI proposes to add a new entry for a denosine and its 5’ -mono -, 5’-di-, and 5’ -
triphosphates  to the schedule for veterinary medicines for which no MRL applies. 
These  compounds would not require compliance to an  MRL when used in food-
producing species as a vasodilator.  
• MPI proposes to  add a new entry for performic acid to the schedule for veterinary 
medicines for which no MRL applies.  Performic acid would not require compliance to 
an MRL when used as an active ingredient in a teat sanitiser on dairy cattle.   
   
8 • Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice New Zealand Food Safety  3 Proposals  
3.1 PROPOSAL TO DELETE  THE NOTICE EN TRY FOR AZACONAZOLE  
It is proposed that t he following entry is  deleted from Schedule 1 of the Notice :  
Compound 
Common Name  CAS#  Residue to which the 
maximum residue level 
applies  Food  Maximum Residue 
Level (mg/kg)  
Azaconazole  60207- 31-0  Azaconazole Citrus fruits  
Pome fruits  
Tomatoes  0.02(*)  
0.02(*)  
0.05 
(*) indicates that the maximum residue level has been set at or about the limit of analytical quantification.  
3.1.1 Amendment Rationale  
The deletion is being proposed because  the compound is no longer used as an agricultural 
compound in New Zealand (the last registered  agricultural compound containing 
azaconazole was de -registered in 2017).  Azaconazole MRLs are therefore no longer 
required to manage GAP use of the compound in New Zealand.  
3.2 PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE MRL FOR CHLORAMPHENICOL  
It is proposed that  the Notice entry for chloramphenicol is amended to  better enforce the 
exclusion of the compound from food commodities.  
The revised entry in Schedule 1 of the Notice will read:  
Compound Common Name  CAS#  Residue to which the 
maximum residue limit 
applies  Food  Maximum 
Residue Level 
(mg/kg)  
Chloramphenicol  56-75-7  Sum of:  
chloramphenicol,  
chloramphenicol  
glucuronide  
Expressed as:  
chloramphenicol  Any food  0.000 15(*)  
(*) indicates that the maximum residue level has been set at or about the limit of analytical quantification.  
3.2.1 Amendment Rationale  
The revised entry is being proposed to  align the MRL for chloramphenicol with expectations  
established by the EU and other overseas authorities. The compound is not approved for use 
as an agricultural compound in New Zealand, and therefore the MRL exists solely to prevent 
residues of chloramphenicol in any food commodities. It is considered that alignment of the 
New Zealand MRL with the lower level expected by international authorities will better 
support that initiative.  
Chloramphenicol is not approved for use in New Zealand as a veterinary medicine.   
   
New Zealand Food Safety  Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice •  9 3.3 PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE MRLS FOR FEBANTEL  
It is proposed that  the Notice entry for febantel is amended to align the MRLs with those 
established for fenbendazole and oxfendazole.  
The revised entry in Schedule 1 of the Notice will read:  
Compound Common 
Name  CAS#  Residue to which the maximum residue limit 
applies  Food  Maximum 
Residue Level 
(mg/kg)  
Febantel  58306 -30-2 Sum of:  
Fenbenzole  
Oxfendazole  
Fenbendazole sulphone  
Expressed as:  
Fenbendazole sulphone  Mammalian fat  
Mammalian kidney  
Mammalian liver  
Mammalian meat  0.05  
0.05  
0.5  
0.05  
3.3.1 Amendment Rationale  
The revised entry is being proposed to align the MRLs for febantel with those set for the 
other two agricultural compounds that share the same residue definition: fenbendazole and 
oxfendazole. This change will align the approach to these three compounds with that 
established by Codex and other international authorities.   
Febantel is a benzimidazole pro- drug used as an endoparasiticide in companion animal and 
food- producing species at similar dose rate to fenbendazole. Febantel and fenbendazole 
also share a common metabolic pathway and residue profile as febantel is converted to 
fenbendazole in the animal  after administration. As such, it is expected that residues from the 
administration of febantel will remain less than 0. 5 mg/kg in liver and 0.05 mg/kg in all other 
tissues. The residue definition remains appropriate for both GAP compliance and dietary 
intake assessment for animal commodities.  
3.3.2 Dietary Risk Assessment  
The HBGV  of 0.0035 mg/kg bw/d, and the stated dietary int ake residue definition, were 
considered appropriate for use in the assessment  of the more stratified febantel MRLs . 
Based on the residue profile expected from all animal commodities, the NEDI is estimated to 
total less than 22% of the HBGV.  
MPI has therefore determined that the use of febantel, when use according to the GAP 
specified above, is unlikely to pose any health risks from authorised use.  
3.3.3 Relevant International MRLs  
Country                                            Food  Maximum Residue 
Level (mg/kg)  
Codex 
(Febantel/Fenbendazole/Oxfendazole)  Cattle , goat, horse, pig, and sheep muscle, fat, and 
kidney  
Cattle , goat, horse, pig, and sheep liver 
Cattle and sheep milk   
0.1 
0.5 
0.1 
China 
(Febantel/Fenbendazole/Oxfendazole)  Cattle/Sheep/Swine/Horse Muscle  
Cattle/Sheep/Swine/Horse Fat  
Cattle/Sheep/Swine/Horse Liver  
Cattle/Sheep/Swine/Horse Kidney  
Cattle/Sheep Milk  0.1 
0.1 
0.5 
0.1 
0.1 
EU  
(Febantel)  All ruminants, porcine, Equidae  muscle  
All ruminants, porcine, Equidae fat 
All ruminants, porcine, Equidae Liver  
All ruminants, porcine, Equidae kidney  
All ruminants milk  0.05 
0.05 
0.5 
0.05 
0.01  
10 • Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice New Zealand Food Safety  Country                                            Food  Maximum Residue 
Level (mg/kg)  
Japan 
(Oxfendazole, febantel, and 
fenbendazole)  Cattle, pig, and other terrestrial mammals, muscle  
Cattle, pig, and other terrestrial mammals, fat  
Cattle, pig, and other terrestrial mammals, liver  
Cattle, pig, and other terrestrial mammals, kidney  
Cattle, pig, and other terrestrial mammals, edible offal  
Milk 0.1 
0.1 
0.5 
0.1 
0.1 
0.1 
  
3.4 PROPOSAL TO DELETE  THE NOTICE ENTRY FOR  FENARIMOL  
It is proposed that the following entry is deleted from Schedule 1 of the Notice :  
Compound Common Name  CAS#  Residue to which the 
maximum residue level 
applies  Food  Maximum Residue 
Level (mg/kg)  
Fenarimol  60168- 88-9 Fenarimol  Grapes  
Pome fruits  0.1  
0.1 
3.4.1 Amendment Rationale  
The deletion is being proposed because the  compound is no longer used as an agricultural 
compound in New Zealand (the last registered agricultural compound containing fenarimol 
was de- registered in 200 9). Fenarimol MRLs are therefore no longer required to manage 
GAP use of the compound in New Zealand.  
3.5 PROPOSAL TO DELETE  THE NOTICE ENTRY FOR  FENBUCONAZOLE  
It is proposed that the following entry is  deleted from Schedule 1 of the Notice :  
Compound 
Common Name  CAS#  Residue to which the 
maximum residue level 
applies  Food  Maximum Residue 
Level (mg/kg)  
Fenbuconazole  114369- 43-6 Fenbuconazole  Pome fruits  0.02 
3.5.1 Amendment Rationale  
The deletion is being proposed because compound is no longer used as an agricultural 
compound in New Zealand ( the last registered  agricultural compound fenbuconazole was de -
registered in 2015 ). Fenbuconazole MRLs are therefore no longer required to manage GAP 
use of the compound in New Zealand.  
   
New Zealand Food Safety  Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice •  11 3.6 PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE MRLS FOR MEFENTRIFLUCONAZOLE  
It is proposed that  the Notice entry for mefentrifluconazole is amended to support the GAP 
use of the compound on  pome fruits and grapes.  
The revised entry in Schedule 1 of the Notice will read:  
Compound Common 
Name  CAS#  Residue to which the maximum residue limit 
applies  Food  Maximum 
Residue Level 
(mg/kg)  
Mefentrifluconazole  1417782 -03-6 Mefentrifluconazole  Barley grain  
Eggs  
Grapes 
Mammalian fat  
Mammalian kidney  
Mammalian liver  
Mammalian meat  
Milk  
Pome fruits  
Poultry fat  
Poultry meat  
Poultry offal  
Wheat grain  2  
0.01(*)  
0.07 
0.1  
0.1  
0.3  
0.02  
0.02 0.01(*)  
0.02  
0.01(*)  
0.02 
0.5 
(*) indicates that the maximum residue level has been set at or about the limit of analytical quantification.  
3.6.1 Amendment Rationale  
The revised entry is being proposed to support the use of mefentrifluconazole for control of 
powdery mildew in grapes and apples, and black spot in apples and pears , as part of  a 
preventative programme in accordance with the use patterns and withholding periods 
considered GAP in New Zealand.  
3.6.2 Good Agricultural Practice  
Mefentrifluconazole belongs to the  DMI triazole group of fungicides, and acts by blocking 
ergosterol biosynthesis. It is a systemically acting compound with protectant activity , and  is 
currently  approved for control of certain fungal diseases in barley and wheat.  
Good agricultural practice for control of  powdery mildew on grapes in New Zealand has been 
determined to be use of mefentrifluconazole  for a maximum of two foliar applicati ons of 6 
gai/100L water up to pre -bunch closure (BBCH 77 -78). To control powdery mildew and black 
spot in apples , and black spot in pears , GAP use is a maximum of four foliar applications of 6 
gai/100L water up till 80% petal fall (BBCH 67- 68) in a prevent ative programme incorporating 
fungicides with a different mode of action.  
The withholding periods considered GAP for use of mefentrifluconazole on crops are 
application no later than pre- bunch closure in grapes, and application no later than 80% petal 
fall in apples and pears.  The w ithholding periods associated with animal grazing are  a six-
month slaughter withholding period after leaf plucking from when stock has been removed 
from the vineyard, and a restriction that stock must not be allowed to graze within treated 
crops until after harvest .  
3.6.3 Residue Information  
The residue data for mefentrifluconazole were sufficient to conclude that, when used on 
apples, pears and grapes  as per GAP and complying with the  applicable withholding periods, 
residues of mefent rifluconazole should not exceed 0.07 mg/kg in grapes and not exceed the 
limit of quantification (0.01 mg/kg) in apples and pears . The residue data supplied for apples 
and pears were sufficient for extrapolation to the pome fruits crop grouping .   
12 • Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice New Zealand Food Safety  The additional  potential  dietar y residue burden in animals was considered  in light of the new 
uses, with potential feed exposure through vineyard and orchard grazing and the use of 
grape pomace as animal feed. After an evaluation of the established GAP and the  GAP for 
the new uses with respect to animal grazing and feed consumption, it was determined that the new uses had  a negligible impact on the estimated feed residue burden. With the 
application of the proposed six-month slaughter interval for sheep used in  vineyard leaf 
plucking, and the label statement restricting ‘general grazing’ until after harvest , it is 
considered that the existing animal commodity MRLs will  be complied with .  
The residue definition of ‘ mefentrifluconazole’ remains appropriate for bot h GAP compliance 
and dietary intake assessment for plant and animal commodities.  
3.6.4 Dietary Risk Assessment  
The HBGV  of 0.025  mg/kg bw/d, and the stated dietary intake residue definition, were 
considered appropriate for use in the assessment. Based on the residue profile expected from all horticultural and animal commodities, the NEDI is estimated to total less than 5% of 
the HB GV. 
MPI has therefore determined that the authorised use of mefentrifluconazole is unlikely to 
pose any health risks from authorised use.   
3.6.5 Relevant International MRLs  
Country                                                          Food  Maximum Residue Level 
(mg/kg)  
Australia  Apple  
Grapes  1 
1 
3.7 PROPOSAL TO AMEND  THE MRL  FOR  METHOMYL   
It is proposed that the entry for methomyl  is amended to remove the MRL in pome fruits.  
The revised  entry in Schedule 1 of the Notice will read :  
Compound 
Common Name  CAS#  Residue to which the maximum residue level 
applies  Food  Maximum Residue 
Level (mg/kg)  
Methomyl  16752- 77-5 Sum of: Methomyl and thiodicarb  
Expressed as: Methomyl  Beans  
Berries and other small fruits  
Brassica vegetables  
Cereal grains  Fruiting vegetables 
(cucurbits)  
Fruiting vegetables (except 
cucurbits)  
Lettuce  
Pome fruits  0.2  
0.5  
0.2  
0.2  
0.2  
 
0.5  
 
0.2  
1 
3.7.1 Amendment Rationale  
The revis ion is being proposed due to the compound not being approved for use  in pome 
fruits  under the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines  Act 1997 (the ACVM Act) . 
A specified MRL for pome fruit is therefore no longer required to manage GAP use of the 
compound in New Zealand.    
New Zealand Food Safety  Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice •  13 3.8 PROPOSAL TO DELETE  THE NOTICE ENTRY  FOR  TOLYLFLUANID 
It is proposed that the following entry is deleted from Schedule 1 of the Notice:   
Compound 
Common Name  CAS#  Residue to which the 
maximum residue level 
applies  Food  Maximum Residue 
Level (mg/kg)  
Tolylfluanid  731-27-1 Tolylfluanid  Grapes  
Pome fruits  0.02(*)  
0.1 
(*) indicates that the maximum residue level has been set at or about the limit of analytical quantification.  
3.8.1 Amendment Rationale  
The deletion is being proposed because the  compound is no longer used as an agricultural 
compound in New Zealand (the last registered agricultural compound containing tolylfluanid 
was de- registered in 2012 ). Tolylfluanid MRLs are therefore no longer required to manage 
GAP use of the compound in New Zealand.  
3.9 PROPOSAL TO ADD AN ENTRY FOR ADENOSINE AND ITS 5’ -MONO -, 5’-DI-, 
AND 5’ -TRIPHOSPHATES TO SCHEDULE 3  
It is proposed that adenosine and its 5’ -mono- , 5’-di-, and 5’ triphosphates are added to 
Schedule 3 of the N otice to identify these compounds as veterinary medicines to which no  
MRL applies. Adenosine 5’ -mono-  and 5’ -diphosphate are natural endogenous compounds 
which play a key role in cellular metabolism as a component of  adenosine 5’-triphosphate 
(ATP) .  As a veterinary medicine, adenosine  5’-monophosphate  is used as a vasodilator 
primarily to increase cardiac and skeletal muscle circulation and thereby prevent and 
manage exercise -induced pathology.  
When administered to food- producing animals,  adenosine 5’-monophosphate is rapidly 
converted to  adenosine 5’-diphosphate and then ATP within minutes, with the adenosine 
phosphate compounds being indistinguishable from  naturally occurring  endogenous 
nucleotides and their metabolic breakdown products. As such, the use of adenosine 5’ -
monophosphate, and its 5’ -di and 5’ -triphosphate derivatives , is not expected to pose risks to 
either food safety or trade when used as a veterinary medicine. These compounds can 
therefore  be listed in Schedule 3 as veterinary  medicines for which no MRL applies, with a 
general condition of use as a veterinary medicine in food- producing animals. This is the 
same approach taken to these compounds as other overseas authorities such as the EU . 
The proposed new entry in Schedule 3 w ill read as follows:  
Substance CAS#  Condition  
Adenosine and its 5’ -mono- , 5’- 
di-, and 5’ triphosphates  n/a When used as  a veterinary medicine.  
3.10 PROPOSAL TO  ADD AN ENTRY FOR P ERFORMIC ACID TO SCHEDULE 3  
It is proposed that  performic acid is added to Schedule 3 of the N otice to identify  it as a 
veterinary medicine to which no MRL applies.  When used as a  post-milking  teat sanitiser  
performic acid is rapidly converted  to formic acid and hydrogen peroxide, compounds which 
are naturally present i n milk.  Due to the rapid clearance of the compound and a lack of 
systemic absorption after topical use, it is expected that residues of performic acid in both 
milk and tissues will be negligible after use. It is therefore considered that residues of  
14 • Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice New Zealand Food Safety  perfor mic acid do not need to be managed through the application of a MRL when the 
compound is used as a teat sanitiser.  
The proposed  new entry in Schedule 3 will read as follows:  
Substance CAS#  Condition  
Performic acid                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     107-32-4 When  used as a teat sanitiser in dairy cattle