Proposals to Amend (No.1)  
the New Zealand  
(Maximum Residue Limits of 
Agricultural Compounds)  
Food Standards 2012  
 
MPI D iscussion Paper No: 2012/ 17 
  
 
Prepared by the Biosecurity, Food and Animal Welfare Directorate of 
the Ministry for Primary Industries   
 
 
ISBN No:  978-0-478-40064 -9 (online)  
ISSN No: 2253- 3907(online)  
 
 
 
 
August 2012  
 
 
Disclaimer  
 
Every effort has been made to ensure the information in this document is accurate.  
 
MPI does not accept any responsibility or liability whatsoever for any error of fact, omission, interpretation or opinion that may be present, however it may have occurred.  
Requests for further copies should be directed to:  
 
Publications Logistics Officer 
Ministry for Primary Industries  
PO Box 2526 WELLINGTON 6140  
 
Email: 
brand@mpi.govt.nz  
Telephone: 0800 00 83 33 
Facsimile: 04 -894 0300 
 This publication is also available on the Ministry for Primary Industries website at  
http://www.mpi.govt.nz/news -resources/publications.aspx  
 
 
© Crown Copyright  August, 2012 -  Ministry for Primary Industries   
i Contents  Page 
 
Submission  1 
1 Introduction 2 
1.1 Background  2 
1.2 Summary of proposed amendment  3 
2 Proposals  4 
2.1 Proposal to set an MRL for ametoctradin  4 
2.2 Proposal to set an MRL for boscalid  5 
2.3 Proposal to set an MRL for fluopyram  8 
2.4 Proposal to set an MRL for isopyrazam  9 
2.5 Proposal to set an MRL for saflufenacil 11 
2.6 Proposal to set an MRL for spinetoram  13 
2.7 Proposal to amend the MRL for deltamethrin  15 
2.8 Proposal to amend the MRL for nicarbazin 16 
2.9 Proposal to exempt methyl anthranilate from an MRL  18 
3.0 Proposal to exempt N6- Benzyladenine from an MRL  19 
  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Proposed Amendment to the NZ (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards  • 1 Submission  
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invites public comment on this discussi on 
document which outlines proposals to amend the  New Zealand (Maximum Residue 
Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards . 
 
The following points may be of assistance in preparing comments:  
• Wherever possible, comment should be specific to a particular  section in the document.  
All major sections are numbered and these numbers should be used to link comments to the document. 
• Where possible, reasons and data to support comment s are requested.  
• The use of examples to illustrate particular points is encoura ged. 
• As a number of copies may be made of your comments, please use good quality type, or 
make sure the comments are clearly hand -written in black or blue ink . 
 Please include the following information in your submission:  
• the title of the discussion docume nt; 
• your name and title (if applicable); 
• your organisation’s name (if applicable); and  
• your address.  
 Please submit your response by 5:00pm on 26 October 2012.  Your comments should be sent to:  
 MRL Amendments  
MPI Food Policy 
PO Box 2835 Wellington  
 Email: 
FoodPolicy@MPI.govt.nz  
Fax: (04) 894 2530  
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. T he 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 
include that information is commercially sens itive 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 or not to release information.  Any decision to withhold information requested und er the OIA may be reviewed by the Ombudsman.  2 • Proposed Am endment to the NZ  (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards Ministry for Primary Industries   
1 Introduction  
Maximum residue limits (MRLs) are the maximum legal limits for residues of agricultural 
compounds and veterinary medicines in food for sale in New Zealand. MRLs are primarily a tool for monitoring the use of agricultural compounds in accordance with good agricultural practice (GAP). GAP is not explicitly defined or regulated, but is the generally accepted means for producing safe primary produce in a particular location while taking account of climate, pests or diseases and other environmental factors. MRLs are used to minimise risks 
to public health by ensuring that chemical residues in food are as low as practicable, without compromising the ability of the chemical to successfully do what is intended.  
1.1 BACKGROUND  
MRLs are set out in the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards (the MRL Standards). The MRL Standards are amended a number of times each year to reflect changes in the use of agricultural compoun ds in the production of food. 
The MRL Standards are available from  the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Foodsafety 
website at: 
http://www.foods afety.govt.nz/elibrary/industry/register- list-mrl-agricultural-
compounds.htm .  
 MPI administers the MRL Standards, but the final decision on any changes to the MRL Standards rests with the Minister for Food Safety. Under section 11E and 11L of the Food Ac t 
1981, when amending or issuing the MRL Standards, the Minister must take into account the following:  
• The need to protect public health.  
• The desirability of avoiding unnecessary restrictions on trade . 
• The desirability of maintaining consistency between Ne w Zealand's food standards and 
those applying internationally . 
• New Zealand's obligations under any relevant international treaty, agreement, convention, 
or protocol, and, in particular, under the Australia -New Zealand Joint Food Standards 
Agreement .  
• Such other matters as the Minister considers appropriate.  
 
Possible implications for public health are considered during the toxicological and dietary risk assessments, by comparing the estimated dietary intake with a Potential Daily Exposure (food) (PDE (food) ). Where there is no PDE (food), the estimated dietary intake is compared 
with the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI). PDE (food) and ADI are described below.  
 A PDE (food) is a value determined by a toxicological evaluation by the Environmental Protection Aut hority (EPA) as part of its responsibility for managing public health under the 
Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (the HSNO Act ).  A PDE (food) gives 
the potential daily exposure a person may be subject to from a substance, via food. MPI uses  a 
PDE (food)  where it is available , rather than the internationally -determined ADI , as required 
by the  HSNO Act in New Zealand. 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 
process.  
 An ADI is 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 practical 
certainty that injury will not result even after a lifetime of exposure”. ADIs are established by  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Proposed Amendment to the NZ (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards  • 3 the WHO and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)  of the United Nations joint expert 
committees, which are mad e up of toxicologists and residue specialists. The ADI information 
from these joint committees also feeds into the Codex Alimentarius Commission  (Codex) , 
which sets international MRLs.  
1.2 SUMMARY OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT  
The proposed MRLs have been thoroughl y assessed in accordance with international 
methodologies such as those utilised by the expert committees advising Codex. Information 
on the technical assessment of each proposal is included in this document (refer section 2) and covers the following:  
• rationale ; 
• chemical information;  
• good agricultural practice; 
• residues information;  
• dietary risk assessment;  
• toxicological /public health assessment; and 
• International MRLs.  
 MPI reviewed the estimated dietary exposure assessments for the application of the prop osals 
in this discussion paper . MPI has determined that the residues associated with the proposed 
MRLs do not present any public health and safety concerns.  
New MRLS 
MPI proposes to add the following new MRLs to the MRL Standards:  
• 0.01 mg/kg for ametoctradin when used as a fungicide on potatoes;  
• 0.2 mg/kg for boscalid when used as a fungicide on onions and other bulb vegetables, the 
subsequent crops planted in rotation (root vegetables and tuber vegetables), and 
consequently the following animal commodities  MRLs from the transfer of residues to 
animals:  Mammalian fat – 0.3 mg/kg, Mammalian kidney – 0.3 mg/kg, Mammalian liver 
– 0.2 mg/kg, Milk – 0.1 mg/kg;  
• 0.01 mg/kg for fluopyram when used as a fungicide on onions and consequently the 
following animal commod ities MRLs from the transfer of residues to animals; 
Mammalian meat – 0.1 mg/kg, Mammalian offal – 0.7 mg/kg, Milk – 0.07 mg/kg;  
• 0.1 mg/kg for isopyrazam when used as a fungicide on pome fruits;  
• 0.01 mg/kg for saflufenacil when used as a herbicide on pome fruits and maize ; 
• 0.2 mg/kg for spinetoram when used as  an insecticide on stone fruits and 0.15 mg/kg for 
spinetoram when used as an insecticide on vegetable brassicas.  
MRL Amendments 
MPI proposes to change the current MRL for the following substances in t he MRL Standards:  
• Deltamethrin in tamarillos from 0.02 mg/kg to 0.1 mg/kg; and 
• Nicarbazin in poultry edible offal from 9 mg/kg to 15 mg/kg. 
MRL Exemptions MPI proposes to exempt the following substances from the MRL Standards:  
• Methyl anthranilate when use d as a bird repellent; and  
• N6-Benzyladenine when used as a plant growth regulator in pome fruits and cherries.  
 4 • Proposed Am endment to the NZ  (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards Ministry for Primary Industries  2 Proposals  
2.1 PROPOSAL TO SET AN M RL FOR AMETOCTRADIN  
It is proposed that an MRL is set for ametoctradin  when used on potatoes . It is propose d that 
Schedule One of the MRL Standards be amended to include the following, and that this will 
be the resulting entry for ametoctradin  in Schedule One of the MRL Standards:  
Compound Common 
Name  CAS#  Residue to which the 
maximum residue 
limit applies  Food  Maximum Permitted 
Residue Level (mg/kg)  
Ametoctradin  865318 -97-4 Ametoctradin  Potato  0.01(*)  
NOTE: (*) indicates that the maximum residue limit has been set at or about the limit of analytical 
quantification.  
Amendment Rationale 
The proposed MRL represe nts a new registration in New Zealand for the active ingredient 
ametoctradin . The proposed MRL will manage the use of ametoctradin  as a fungicide to 
control late blight in potatoes , and to the application rates and withholding periods that are 
proposed as good agricultural practice (GAP) in New Zealand . 
Chemical Information 
Common name of compound  Ametoctradin  
Use of compound  Fungicide  
Chemical Abstract Services (CAS) Registry number  865318 -97-4 
Type of compound  Triazolopyrimidine  
Administration method  Spray  
Good Agricultural Practice 
Ametoctradin  is proposed for use as a fungicide in potatoes . Application is at a rate of 
240gai/ha at 7 – 10 day intervals using the shorter 7 day interval when heavy infection 
pressure occurs. 
Residues Information 
The residue data for potatoes supports an MRL of 0.01 mg/kg for ametoctradin  when the last 
treatment is 14 days  prior to harvest . An MRL of 0.01 mg/kg is proposed to support GAP.  
Dietary Risk Assessment  
The potential daily exposure via food (PDE (food)) is used for dietary intake calculation 
where a value has been set. An appropriate acceptable daily intake (ADI) is used in the absence of a PDE (food). There is no PDE (food) so the ADI of 10 mg/kg bw/d was considered appropriate for use in the assessment and is con sistent with overseas regulatory 
bodies.  
 The chronic dietary exposure to ametoctradin is estimated by the National Estimated Dietary Intake (NEDI) calculation. The NEDI calculation is made in accordance with Guidelines for predicting dietary intake of pe sticide residues (revised) [World Health Organization, 1997].  
 Based on the proposed MRLs, the NEDI for ametoctradin is less than 0.1% of the ADI. It is therefore concluded that the chronic dietary exposure is small and the risk is acceptable.   
Ministry for Primary Industries   Proposed Amendment to the NZ (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards  • 5 Toxicologica l/Public Health Assessment  
It has been determined that the use of ametoctradin as a fungicide for potatoes according to 
the GAP specified above, is very unlikely to pose any health risks from consumption of 
treated produce.  
Other International MRLs 
Country  Food  Maximum Residue Limit 
(mg/kg) 
European Union  Potato  0.01(*)  
USA Potato  0.05 
 Under clause 6(3)(b) of the MRL Standards imported food may contain residues of agricultural compounds no greater than the MRLs specified for that food in the current editions or supplements of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission publications 
Pesticide Residues in Food or Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods . 
 To meet New Zealand’s obligations under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures the proposed MRL will be notified to the World Trade Organization. Any country may choose to comment if they believe the proposed MRL represents a barrier to their trade.  
2.2 PROPOSAL TO SET AN M RL FOR BOSCALID  
It is proposed that an MRL is set for boscalid  when used on onions, the subsequent crops 
planted in rotation with onions (root vegetables and tuber vegetables), and in animal products (milk, and mammalian fat, kidney and liver) . The current entry for boscalid  in Schedule One 
of the MRL  Standards is : 
Compound Common 
Name  CAS#  Residue to which the 
maximum residue 
limit applies  Food  Maximum Permitted 
Residue Level (mg/kg)  
Boscalid  188425 -85-6 Boscalid  Grapes  5 
Kiwifruit  0.1(*)  
Pome fruits  0.05(*)  
Stone fruits  0.05(*)  
 
The final entry for boscalid  in Schedule One of the MRL  Standards will therefore read:  
Compound Common 
Name  CAS#  Residue to which the 
maximum residue 
limit applies  Food  Maximum Residue 
Limit (mg/kg)  
Boscalid  188425 -85-6 Boscalid  Bulb vegetables  0.2 
Grapes  5 
Kiwifr uit 0.1(*)  
Mammalian fat  0.3 
Mammalian kidney  0.3 
Mammalian liver  0.2 
Milk 0.1 
Pome fruits  0.05(*)  
Root vegetables  0.5 
Stone fruits  0.05(*)  
Tuber vegetables  0.5 
NOTE: (*) indicates that the maximum residue limit has been se t at or about the limit of analytical 
quantification.  
 6 • Proposed Am endment to the NZ  (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards Ministry for Primary Industries  Amendment Rationale 
The proposed MRLs represent the expansion of use of a currently registered active ingredient . 
They will manage the use of boscalid as a fungicide to control white rot in bulb onions  to the 
application rates and withholding periods that are proposed as good agricultural practice 
(GAP ) in New Zealand , and the subsequent rotational crops like other bulb vegetables and 
root and tuber vegetables. Also the proposed MRLs will manage residue s in animal products.  
Chemical Information 
Common name of compound  Boscalid  
Use of compound  Fungicide  
Chemical Abstract Services (CAS) Registry number  188425 -85-6 
Type of compound  Carboxamide  
Administration method  Spray  
Good Agricultural Practice 
Bosc alid is proposed for use as a fungicide in bulb onions at a rate of 400gai/ha, up to four 
times per season and with not more than 2 sequential applications, alternating with non-
strobilurin/anilide fungicides as protectant foliar sprays.  
Residues Informati on 
The residue data for bulb onions supports an MRL of 0.2 mg/kg for boscalid when the last treatment is 56 days prior to harvest. The rotational crop data supports an MRL of 0.2 mg/kg for other bulb vegetables and 0.5 mg/kg for root and tuber vegetables. Also data for the 
potential transfer of residues to animal supports an MRL of 0.3 mg/kg for m ammalian fat, 
0.2 mg/kg for liver, 0.3 mg/kg for kidney and 0.1 mg/kg for milk.  
Dietary Risk Assessment  
The potential daily exposure via food (PDE (food)) is used for dietary intake calculation where a value has been set.  An appropriate acceptable daily intake (ADI) is used in the absence of a PDE (food). The PDE of 0.028 mg/kg bw/d has been set by EPA and is considered appropriate for use in the assessment of bosc alid.  
 The chronic dietary exposure to boscalid is estimated by the National Estimated Dietary Intake (NEDI) calculation encompassing all registered uses of the chemical and food consumption data based up on the 1997 National Nutrition Survey for adults (N ew Zealand) 
and the 1995 National Nutrition Survey  (Australia ), for children. The NEDI calculation is 
made in accordance with Guidelines for predicting dietary intake of pesticide residues (revised)  [World Health Organization, 1997].  
 Based on the proposed MRLs, the NEDI for boscalid is equivalent to less than 20% of the 
PDE. It is therefore concluded that the chronic dietary exposure is small and the risk is acceptable.  
Toxicological/Public Health Assessment  
It has been determined that the use of boscalid  as a fungicide  in bulb onions  according to 
GAP (specified above), is very unlikely to pose any health risks from consumption of treated produce.  
  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Proposed Amendment to the NZ (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards  • 7 Other International MRLs 
Country  Food  Maximum Residue Limit 
(mg/kg) 
Australia  Onions, Bulb  T1.0 
Bulb Veget ables (excluding 
bulb onions)  T3 
Carrot  T1 
Potato  0.5 
Edible offal (Mammalian)  0.3 
Milk 0.1 
'T' denotes that the MRL, residue definition or use is temporary to enable further 
experimental wor k to be carried out , and will be reconsidered at some f uture date  
Codex  Bulb vegetables  5 
Root and tuber vegetables  2 
Meat  0.7 
Edible offal  0.2 
Milk 0.1 
European Union  Onions (Silverskin onions)  5 
Garlic  5 
Spring onions  6 
Other bulb vegetables  5 
Root and Tuber  2 
Mammalian fat  0.7 
Mammalia n kidney  0.3 
Mammalian liver  0.2 
Milk 0.1 
Japan  Potato  0.05 
Carrot  0.7 
Horseradish  0.7 
Onion  3.0 
Garlic  3.0 
Mammalian fat  0.3 
Mammalian liver  0.35 
Mammalian kidney  0.35 
Milk 0.1 
USA Bulb vegetable  3.0 
Garlic  3.0 
Carrot  1.0 
Potat o 0.05 
Mammalian fat  0.3 
Milk 0.1 
 
Under clause 6(3)(b) of the MRL Standards imported food may contain residues of agricultural compounds no greater than the MRLs specified for that food in the current editions or supplements of the FAO/WHO Codex Alim entarius Commission publications 
Pesticide Residues in Food or Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods . 
 To meet New Zealand’s obligations under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures the proposed MRL will be notified to the World Trade Organization. Any country may choose to comment if they believe the proposed MRL represents a barrier to their trade.  8 • Proposed Am endment to the NZ  (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards Ministry for Primary Industries  2.3 PROPOSAL TO SET AN M RL FOR FLUOPYRAM  
It is proposed that an MRL is set for fluopyram  when used on onions and in animal pr oducts 
from animals exposed to residues of fluopyram in feed . It is proposed that Schedule One of 
the MRL Standards be amended to include the following, and that this will be the resulting 
entry for fluopyram  in Schedule One of the MRL Standards:  
Compound Common 
Name  CAS#  Residue to which the 
maximum residue 
limit applies  Food  Maximum Permitted 
Residue Level (mg/kg)  
Fluopyram  658066 -35-4 Plant commodities: 
Fluopyram  
Animal commodities: 
Sum of fluopyram and 
2-(trifluoromethyl) 
benzamide, expressed 
as fluopy ram Bulb onions  0.01(*)  
   Mammalian meat  0.1 
Mammalian offal  0.7 
Milk 0.07 
NOTE: (*) indicates that the maximum residue limit has been set at or about the limit of analytical quantification.  
Amendment Rationale 
The proposed MRL represents a new registration in New Zealand for the active ingredient 
fluopyram . The proposed MRL will manage the use of fluopyram  as a fungicide to control 
white rot in  onions , to the application rates and withholding periods that are proposed as good 
agricultural practice ( GAP ) in New Zealand . 
Chemical Information 
Common name of compound  Fluopyram  
Use of compound  Fungicide  
Chemical Abstract Services (CAS) Registry number  658066 -35-4 
Type of compound  Benzami de, pyramide  
Administration method  Spray  
Good Agricultural P ractice 
Fluopyram  is proposed for use as a fungicide in onions . Application is at a rate of 250gai/ha 
with two applications at monthly intervals starting at 4 – 6 weeks after planting. 
Residues Information 
The residue data for onions supports an MRL of 0.01 mg/kg for fluopyram  when the last 
treatment is 70 days  prior to harvest . An MRL of 0.01 mg/kg is proposed to support GAP.  
 
Residues in food crops grown subsequently to onions treated according to GAP are unlikely to be higher than the NZ default MRL, base d on limited studies reviewed by Joint FAO/WHO 
Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR). However, higher residues could occur in animal feed crops, with a conservative estimate that residues should be less than 0.5 mg/kg (dry matter).   An animal transfer asse ssment concluded that estimated residues (parent plus benzamide) will 
be up to 0.5 mg/kg in liver, up to 0.05 mg/kg in other tissues, and in milk 0.01- 0.03mg/kg. To 
harmonise with Codex, the following MRLs are proposed:  
0.1mg/kg for mammalian meat, 0.7 mg/ kg for offal and 0.07mg/kg for milk.   
Ministry for Primary Industries   Proposed Amendment to the NZ (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards  • 9 Dietary Risk Assessment  
The potential daily exposure via food (PDE (food)) is used for dietary intake calculation 
where a value has been set.  An appropriate acceptable daily intake (ADI) is used in the 
absence of a PDE (food). The ADI of 0.01 mg/kg bw/d was considered appropriate for use in the assessment and is consistent with overseas reputable regulatory bodies.  
 The chronic dietary exposure to fluopyram is estimated by the National Estimated Dietary Intake (NEDI) calculation encompassing all registered uses of the chemical and food consumption data based upon the 1997 Na tional Nutrition  Survey for adults (New  Zealand)  
and the 1995 National Nutrition Survey ( Australia ), for children. The NEDI calculation is 
made in accordance with Guidelines for predicting dietary intake of pesticide residues (revised)  [World Health Organization, 1997].  
 Based on the proposed MRLs, the NEDI for fluopyram is equivalent to less than 5% of the ADI. It is therefore concluded that the chronic dietary exposure is small and the risk is acceptable.  
Toxicological /Public Health Assessment  
It has been determined that the use of fluopyram as a fungicide for onions according to the 
GAP specified above, is very unlikely to pose any health risks from consumption of treated produce.  
Other International MRLs 
Country  Food  Maximum Residue Limit 
(mg/kg) 
Codex  Edible offal (mammalian)  0.7 
Meat  0.1 
European Union  Onion (silverskin onions)  0.1 
Mammalian meat  0.1 
Mammalian offal  0.7 
Milk 0.1 
 Under cl ause 6(3)(b) of the MRL Standards imported food may contain residues of 
agricultural compounds no greater than the MRLs specified for that food in the current editions or supplements of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission publications Pesticide Resid ues in Food or Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods . 
 To meet New Zealand’s obligations under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures the proposed MRL will be notified to the World Trade Organization. Any country may choose  to comment if they believe the proposed MRL represents a barrier to 
their trade.  
2.4 PROPOSAL TO SET AN M RL FOR ISOPYRAZAM  
It is proposed that an MRL is set for isopyrazam  when used on pome fruits . The current entry 
for isopyrazam  in Schedule One of the M RL Standards is : 
Compound Common 
Name  CAS#  Residue to which the 
maximum residue 
limit applies  Food  Maximum Permitted 
Residue Level (mg/kg)  
Isopyrazam  881685 -58-1 Isopyrazam, sum of 
isomers  Barley  0.5 
Wheat  0.2 
 10 • Proposed Am endment to the NZ  (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards  Ministry for Primary Industries  The final entry for isopyrazam  in Schedule One of the MRL Standards will therefore read: 
Compound Common 
Name  CAS#  Residue to which the 
maximum residue 
limit applies  Food  Maximum Permitted 
Residue Level (mg/kg)  
Isopyrazam  881685 -58-1 Isopyrazam, sum of 
isomers  Barley  0.5 
Wheat  0.2 
Pome fruits  0.1 
Amendment Rationale 
The proposed MRLs represent the expansion of use of a currently registered active ingredient . 
They will manage the use of isopyrazam  as a fungicide to control powdery mildew and 
blackspot in pome fruits to the application rates and withholding periods that are proposed as 
good agricultural practice (GAP ) in New Zealand . 
Chemical Information 
Common name of compound  Isopyrazam  
Use of compound  Fungicide  
Chemical Abstract Services (CAS) Registry number  881685 -58-1 
Type of co mpound  Pyrazole  
Administration method  Spray  
Good Agricultural Practice 
Isopyrazam  is proposed for use as a fungicide in pome fruits at a rate of 150gai/ha over 
flowering, during infection, or during leaf extension. 
Residues Information 
The residue data f or pome fruits supports an MRL of 0.1 mg/kg for isopyrazam  when the last 
treatment is 35 days prior to harvest. An MRL of 0.1 mg/kg is proposed to support GAP . 
Dietary Risk Assessment  
The potential daily exposure via food (PDE (food)) is used for dietary i ntake calculation 
where a value has been set.  An appropriate acceptable daily intake (ADI) is used in the 
absence of a PDE (food). The PDE (food) of 0.0385 mg/kg bw/d have been set by EPA and was considered appropriate for use in the assessment.  
 The chr onic dietary exposure to isopyrazam is estimated by the National Estimated Dietary 
Intake (NEDI) calculation encompassing all registered uses of the chemical and food 
consumption data based u pon the 1997 National Nutrition Survey for adults  (New  Zealand)  
and the 1995 National Nutrition Survey (Australia), for children. The NEDI calculation is 
made in accordance with Guidelines for predicting dietary intake of pesticide residues 
(revised)  [World Health Organization, 1997].  
 Based on the proposed MRLs, the NE DI for isopyrazam is equivalent to less than 2% of the 
PDE (food). It is therefore concluded that the chronic dietary exposure is small and the risk is acceptable.  
Toxicological/Public Health Assessment  
It has been determined that the use of isopyrazam as a fungicide  in pome fruits  according to 
GAP (specified above), is very unlikely to pose any health risks from consumption of treated produce.   
Ministry for Primary Industries   Proposed Amendment to the NZ (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards  • 11 Other International MRLs 
Country  Food  Maximum Residue Limit 
(mg/kg) 
European Union  Pome fruit  0.01(*)  
NOTE: (*) indicates that the maximum residue limit has been set at or about the limit of analytical 
quantification.  
 
Under clause 6(3)(b) of the MRL Standards imported food may contain residues of 
agricultural compounds no greater than the MRLs specified for that fo od in the current 
editions or supplements of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission publications 
Pesticide Residues in Food or Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods . 
 To meet New Zealand’s obligations under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary a nd 
Phytosanitary Measures the proposed MRL will be notified to the World Trade Organization. Any country may choose to comment if they believe the proposed MRL represents a barrier to their trade.  
2.5 PROPOSAL TO SET AN M RL FOR SAFLUFENACIL  
It is proposed that an MRL is set for saflufenacil when used on pome fruits and maize . It is 
proposed that Schedule One of the MRL Standards be amended to include the following, and that this will be the resulting entry for saflufenacil  in Schedule One of the MRL Standar ds: 
Compound Common 
Name  CAS#  Residue to which the 
maximum residue 
limit applies  Food  Maximum Permitted 
Residue Level (mg/kg)  
Saflufenacil  372137 -35-4 Saflufenacil  Pome fruits  0.01(*)  
Maize  0.01(*)  
NOTE: (*) indicates that the maximum residue limit h as been set at or about the limit of analytical 
quantification.  
Amendment Rationale 
The proposed MRL represents a new registration in New Zealand for the active ingredient 
saflufenacil. The proposed MRL will manage the use of saflufenacil as a herbicide in  maize 
crops and pome fruits , to the application rates and withholding periods that are proposed as 
good agricultural practice (GAP ) in New Zealand . 
Chemical Information 
Common name of compound  Saflufenacil  
Use of compound  Herbicide  
Chemical Abstract Ser vices (CAS) Registry number  372137 -35-4 
Type of compound  Pyrimidinedione  
Administration method  Spray  
Good Agricultural Practice 
Saflufenacil is proposed for use as a herbicide in pome fruits and maize . Application rates and 
timing are as follows: 
• Pome f ruits -  17.5 gai/ha for pome fruits. Apply 1 – 3 times per season under trees that 
have mature bark.  
• 70 – 105 gai/ha for the maize crops. Apply once as a pre -emergence treatment as soon as 
practical after planting and before the crop or weeds emerges.  12 • Proposed Am endment to the NZ  (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards  Ministry for Primary Industries  Residues Information 
The residue data for pome fruits and maize supports an MRL of 0.01 mg/kg for the two food 
crops. For pome fruits  the last treatment must be  28 days  prior to harvest . An MRL of 0.01 
mg/kg is proposed to support GAP. 
Dietary Risk Assessment  
The potential daily exposure via food (PDE (food)) is used for dietary intake calculation 
where a value has been set.  An appropriate acceptable daily intake (ADI) is used in the absence of a PDE (food). The PDE (food) of 0.014 mg/kg bw/d have been set by EPA and was considered appropriate for use in the assessment.  
 The chronic dietary exposure to saflufenacil  is estimated by the National Estimated Dietary 
Intake (NEDI) calculation encompassing all registered uses of the chemical and food consumption data based u pon the 1997 National Nutrition Survey for adults  (New  Zealand)  
and the 1995 National Nutrition Survey (Australia), for children. The NEDI calculation is made in accordance with Guidelines for predicting dietary intake of pesticide residues (revised ) [World Health Organization, 1997].  
 Based on the proposed MRLs, the NEDI for saflufenacil  is equivalent to less than 1% of the 
PDE (food). It is therefore concluded that the chronic dietary exposure is small and the risk is acceptable.  
Toxicological /Publ ic Health Assessment  
It has been determined that the use of saflufenacil as a herbicide  for pome fruits and maize 
according to the GAP specified above, is very unlikely to pose any health risks from consumption of treated produce.  
Other International MRLs 
Country  Food  Maximum Residue Limit 
(mg/kg) 
Codex  Sweet corn  0.01 
Australia  Cereal grain  0.03(*)  
Pome fruit  0.03(*)  
 Under clause 6(3)(b) of the MRL Standards imported food may contain residues of agricultural compounds no greater than the MRLs specifi ed for that food in the current 
editions or supplements of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission publications Pesticide Residues in Food or Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods . 
 To meet New Zealand’s obligations under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures the proposed MRL will be notified to the World Trade Organization. Any country may choose to comment if they believe the proposed MRL represents a barrier to their trade.   
Ministry for Primary Industries   Proposed Amendment to the NZ (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards  • 13 2.6 PROPOSAL TO SET AN M RL FOR SPINETORAM  
It is proposed that an MRL is set for spinetoram  when used on stone fruits and vegetable 
brassicas. The current entry for spinetoram  in Schedule One of the MRL Standards is : 
Compound Common 
Name  CAS#  Residue to which the 
maximum residue 
limit applies  Food  Maximum Permitted 
Residue Level (mg/kg)  
Spinetoram  187166 -40-1 + 
187166- 15-0 Sum of : 
XDE- 175-J 
XDE- 175-L 
Expressed as:  
Spinetoram  Apples  0.05 
Pears  0.05 
Potatoes  0.02(*)  
Tomatoes  0.02(*)  
 
The final entry for spinetoram  in Schedule One of the MR L Standards will therefore read: 
Compound Common 
Name  CAS#  Residue to which the 
maximum residue 
limit applies  Food  Maximum Residue 
Limit (mg/kg)  
Spinetoram  187166 -40-1 + 
187166- 15-0 Sum of : 
XDE- 175-J 
XDE- 175-L 
Expressed as:  
Spinetoram  Apples  0.05 
Pear s 0.05 
Stone fruit  0.2 
Vegetable brassicas  0.15 
Potatoes  0.02(*)  
Tomatoes  0.02(*)  
NOTE: (*) indicates that the maximum residue limit has been set at or about the limit of analytical 
quantification.  
Amendment Rationale 
The proposed MRLs rep resent the expansion of use of a currently registered active ingredient . 
They will manage the use of spinetoram as an insecticide to control leafroller, oriental fruit 
moth and thrips in stonefruit and diamond back moth, white butterfly and looper caterpil lars 
in vegetable brasiccas to the application rates and withholding period that is  proposed as good 
agricultural practice (GAP ) in New Zealand . 
Chemical Information 
Common name of compound  Spinetoram (XDE -175-J + XDE -175-L) 
Use of compound  Insecticide  
Chemical Abstract Services (CAS) Registry number  187166 -40-1 + 187166 -15-0 
Type of compound  Spinosym  
Administration method  Spray  
Good Agricultural Practice 
Spinetoram is proposed for use as an insecticide in stonefruit at a rate of 2.4- 4.8gai/100L, 
apply  in 2000 litres of water per hectare. Apply from petal fall at 10 -14 day intervals with last 
applications 3 days before harvest. For vegetable brassicas, it will be applied at a rate of 24gai 
per hectare in at least 250L of water per hectare with a withholding period of 3 days.  
Residues Information 
The residue data for stonefruits supports an MRL of 0.2 mg/kg for spinetoram when the last 
treatment is 3 days prior to harvest. For vegetable brassicas, the residue data supports and MRL of 0.15 mg/kg when the l ast treatment is 3 days prior to harvest.  
Dietary Risk Assessment  
The potential daily exposure via food (PDE (food)) is used for dietary intake calculation where a value has been set.  An appropriate acceptable daily intake (ADI) is used in the 14 • Proposed Am endment to the NZ  (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards  Ministry for Primary Industries  absence of a PDE (food). The PDE of 0.024 mg/kg bw/d has been set by EPA and is 
considered appropriate for use in the assessment of spinetoram.  
 The chronic dietary exposure to spinetoram is estimated by the National Estimated Dietary Intake (NEDI) calculation encom passing all registered uses of the chemical and food 
consumption data based upon the 1997 National Nutrition Survey for adults (New Zealand) and the 1995 National Nutrition Survey (Australia ), for children. The NEDI calculation is 
made in accordance with G uidelines for predicting dietary intake of pesticide residues 
(revised)  [World Health Organization, 1997].  
 Based on the proposed MRLs, the NEDI for spinetoram is equivalent to less than 1% of the PDE. It is therefore concluded that the chronic dietary exp osure is small and the risk is 
acceptable.  
Toxicological/Public Health Assessment  
It has been determined that the use of spinetoram  as an insecticide  in stonefruit according to 
GAP (specified above), is very unlikely to pose any health risks from consumption of treated produce.  
Other International MRLs 
Country  Food  Maximum Residue Limit 
(mg/kg) 
Australia  Stone fruits  0.2 
Brassica (cole or cabbage) 
vegetables, Head cabbages, 
Flowerhead brassicas  0.2 
CODEX  Apricots, Cherries, Peaches  0.2 
Plums  0.05(*)  
Japan Peaches  0.1 
Cabbage 0.5 
Other Fruits  0.2 
NOTE: (*) indicates that the maximum residue limit has been set at or about the limit of analytical 
quantification.  
 
Under clause 6(3)(b) of the MRL Standards imported food may contain residues of agricul tural compounds no greater than the MRLs specified for that food in the current 
editions or supplements of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission publications Pesticide Residues in Food or Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods . 
 To meet New Zealand’s obligations under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures the proposed MRL will be notified to the World Trade Organization. 
Any country may choose to comment if they believe the proposed MRL represents a barrier to 
their trad e  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Proposed Amendment to the NZ (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards  • 15 2.7 PROPOSAL TO AMEND TH E MRLS FOR DELTAMETH RIN 
It is proposed that the current MRL of 0.02 mg/kg for deltamethrin on tamarillos  is deleted 
and replaced with an MRL of 0.1 mg/kg. This will be the final entry  for deltamethrin  in 
Schedule One of the MRL S tandards:  
Compound Common 
Name  CAS#  Residue to which the 
maximum residue 
limit applies  Food  Maximum Permitted 
Residue Level (mg/kg)  
Deltamethrin  52918 -63-5 Sum of:deltamethrin 
α–R-deltamethrin 
trans -deltamethrin 
Expressed as: 
deltamethrin Avocados  0.05(*)  
Beans  0.05(*)  
Brassica vegetables  0.05(*)  
Grapes  0.01(*)  
Kiwifruit  0.01(*)  
Onions  0.01(*)  
Pome fruits  0.01(*)  
Potatoes  0.01(*)  
Stone fruits  0.02(*)  
Sweetcorn  0.01(*)  
Tamarillos  0.1 
Tomatoes  0.05(*)  
NOTE: (*) in dicates that the maximum residue limit has been set at or about the limit of analytical 
quantification.  
Amendment Rationale 
The proposed amendment is based on the information received by MPI which showed that 
residue levels of deltamethrin in tamarillos from various orchards around New Zealand were above the MRL of 0.02 mg/kg. It is noted that the current MRL is based on old residue data and is more likely the level does not reflect current good agricultural practice (GAP). Consequently, an MRL of 0.1 mg/kg is proposed as it is considered suitable to monitor the 
current GAP.  
Chemical Information 
Common name of compound  Deltamethrin  
Use of compound  Insecticide  
Chemical Abstract Services (CAS) Registry number  52918 -63-5 
Type of compound  Pyrethroid  
Administ ration method  Spray  
Good Agricultural Practice 
Deltamethrin  is currently approved for use as an insecticide in a broad range of fruit, 
vegetable crops and ornamentals . For tamarillos, the a pplication  rates  are: 
• 24.75 gai/100L – for the control of grass gr ub beetle pre -flowering. To be applied at dusk 
commencing when beetles first appear and at 6 – 8 day intervals over the beetle feeding 
period. 
• 19.8 gai/100L – for the control of whitefly pre -flowering. To be applied immediately after 
pruning and repeat 7 – 10 days later.  
• 12.4 gai/100L – for the control of whitefly post- flowering. To be applied at 10 – 14 day 
intervals.  
Residues Information 
Information received by MPI showed that residue levels of deltamethrin in tamarillos from 
various orchards around New Z ealand were above the MRL of 0.02 mg/kg. It is noted that the 
current MRL is based on old residue data and is more likely the level does not reflect current 
GAP. An MRL of 0.1 mg/kg is therefore proposed to support GAP.  16 • Proposed Am endment to the NZ  (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards  Ministry for Primary Industries  Dietary Risk Assessment  
The PDE (foo d) is used for dietary intake calculation where a value has been set.  An 
appropriate acceptable daily intake (ADI) is used in the absence of a PDE (food). The ADI of 
0.01 mg/kg bw/d was considered appropriate for use in the assessment and is consistent wi th 
overseas reputable regulatory bodies.  The chronic dietary exposure to deltamethrin is estimated by the National Estimated Dietary Intake (NEDI) calculation encompassing all registered uses of the chemical and food consumption data based u pon the 1997 N ational Nutrition  Survey for adults  (New  Zealand)  
and the 1995 National Nutrition Survey (Australia ), for children. The NEDI calculation is 
made in accordance with Guidelines for predicting dietary intake of pesticide residues (revised)  [World Health Organ ization, 1997].  
 Based on the proposed MRLs, the NEDI for deltamethrin is equivalent to less than 10% of the ADI. It is therefore concluded that the chronic dietary exposure is small and the risk is acceptable.  
Toxicological /Public Health Assessment  
It has  been determined that the use of deltamethrin  as a insecticide  for tamarillos  according to 
the GAP specified above, is very unlikely to pose any health risks from consumption of treated produce.  
Other International MRLs 
Country  Food  Maximum Residue Limit 
(mg/kg) 
European Union  Tamarillos  0.3 
Japan  Other fruits  0.5 
 Under clause 6(3)(b) of the MRL Standards imported food may contain residues of agricultural compounds no greater than the MRLs specified for that food in the current editions or supplements of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission publications Pesticide Residues in Food or Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods . 
 To meet New Zealand’s obligations under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures the proposed MRL will be notified to the World Trade Organization. Any country may choose to comment if they believe the proposed MRL represents a barrier to their trade.  
2.8 PROPOSAL TO AMEND TH E MRL FOR NICARBAZIN  
It is proposed that the current MRL of 9 mg/kg for nicarbazin on edible offal is deleted and replaced with an MRL of 15 mg/kg. This will be the final entry for nicarbazin  in Schedule 
One of the MRL Standards:  
Compound Common 
Name  CAS#  Residue to which the 
maximum residue 
limit applies  Food  Maximum Permitted 
Resi due Level (mg/kg)  
Nicarbazin  330-95-0 1,3-N,N’-bis (4 
nitrophenyl) urea as 
nicarbazin  Poultry edible offal  15 
Poultry muscle       4 
Poultry skin/fat  4 
Amendment Rationale 
The proposed amendment is based on an MPI review  which indicates that it wi ll be prudent to 
base the edible offal MRL on the level of residues in the liver rather than the kidney. This is  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Proposed Amendment to the NZ (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards  • 17 because residue level in the liver is higher than in the kidney at the registered good 
agricultural practice (GAP).  
Chemical Information 
Commo n name of compound  Nicarbazin (a complex of two compounds, 4,4' -
dinitrocarbanilide (DNC) and 4,6 -dimethyl -2-
pyrimidinol (HDP). DNC is the active 
component  
Use of compound  Coccidiostat  
Chemical Abstract Services (CAS) Registry number  330-95-0 
Type of com pound  Nitrophenylurea with pyrimidin  
Administration method  Feed  
Good Agricultural Practice 
Nicarbazin is used as an anticoccidial agent for broiler chickens.  It is to be applied as a feed 
with 40–50g of nicarbazin per tonne of complete feed and to be fe d continuously to broiler 
chickens as the only ration for at least 14 –28 days.  
Residues Information 
Residue data for broiler chickens supports MRLs of 15 mg/kg ( poultry offal) for nicarbazin in 
animals slaughtered immediately after t he conclusion of treatme nt. MRL of 15 mg/kg (poultry 
offal) is therefore proposed to support GAP.  
Dietary Risk Assessment  
The potential daily exposure via food (PDE (food)) is used for dietary intake calculation 
where a value has been set.  An appropriate acceptable daily intake ( ADI) is used in the 
absence of a PDE (food). MPI considered the ADI of 0.77 mg/kg bw/d was appropriate for use in the assessment and is consistent with overseas reputable regulatory bodies.  
 The chronic dietary exposure to nicarbazin is estimated by the National Estimated Dietary Intake (NEDI) calculation encompassing all registered uses of the chemical and food consumption data based upon the 1997 National Nutrition Survey for adults (New  Zealand) 
and the 1995 National Nutrition Survey (Australia ), for chi ldren. The NEDI calculation is 
made in accordance with Guidelines for predicting dietary intake of pesticide residues (revised)  [World Health Organization, 1997].  
 Based on the proposed MRLs, the NEDI for nicarbazin is equivalent to less than 10% of the ADI. It is therefore concluded that the chronic dietary exposure is small and the risk is acceptable.  
Toxicological /Public Health Assessment  
MPI has determined that the use of nicarbazin as a anticoccidial agent for broiler chickens, 
according to the GAP spe cified above, is very unlikely to pose any health risks from 
consumption of treated produce.   18 • Proposed Am endment to the NZ  (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards  Ministry for Primary Industries  Other International MRLs 
Country  Food  Maximum Residue Limit 
(mg/kg) 
Australia  Chicken kidney  20 
Chicken liver  35 
Chicken muscle  5 
Chicken skin/fat  10 
Codex Chicken kidney  0.2 
Chicken liver  0.2 
Chicken muscle  0.2 
Chicken skin/fat  0.2 
European Union  Chicken kidney  6 
Chicken liver  15 
Chicken muscle  4 
Chicken skin/fat  4 
United State of America  Chicken kidney  4 
Chicken liver  4 
Chicken muscle  4 
Chicken skin/fat  4 
Japan  Chicken kidney  0.2 
Chicken liver  0.2 
Chicken muscle  0.2 
Chicken skin/fat  0.2 
 
Under clause 6(3)(b) of the MRL Standards imported food may contain residues of agricultural compounds no greater than the MRLs specified for  that food in the current 
editions or supplements of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission publications Pesticide Residues in Food or Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods . 
 To meet New Zealand’s obligations under the Agreement on the Application of Sa nitary and 
Phytosanitary Measures the proposed MRL will be notified to the World Trade Organization. Any country may choose to comment if they believe the proposed MRL represents a barrier to their trade.  
2.9 PROPOSAL TO EXEMPT M ETHYL ANTHRANILATE F ROM AN MRL 
It is proposed that an MRL exemption is set for methyl anthranilate  when used as an 
agricultural compound. It is proposed that Schedule Two of the MRL Standards be amended by adding the following:  
Substance  CAS#  Condition  
Methyl anthranilate  134-20-3 Used as a bird repellent  
Amendment Rationale 
The proposed MRL exemption represents a new use pattern  in New Zealand for methyl 
anthranilate . The rapid decomposition of this compound into non- toxic substances, its 
presence in certain food crops naturally a nd in other  foods as a flavour additive and its low 
toxicity mean it is not suitable to be managed against a chemical concentration limit.  
Chemical Information 
Common name of compound  Methyl anthranilate  
Use of compound  Bird repellant  
Chemical Abstract S ervices (CAS) Registry number  134-20-3 
Type of compound  Ester of anthranilic acid  
Administration method  Not known   
Ministry for Primary Industries   Proposed Amendment to the NZ (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards  • 19 Good Agricultural Practice 
Methyl anthranilate is proposed for use as a bird repellent in vineyards and this use is exempt 
from Agricultura l Compounds and Veterinary Medicines registration provided the residues 
are managed.  
Residues Information 
Methyl anthranilate is  used in processed foods as a flavouring agent , and is natural ly present  
in certai n crop plants. R esidues resulting from the us e of methyl anthranilate  as an agricultural 
compound may also degrade rapidly. Given residue of methyl anthranilate occurring in the 
plant as a result of agricultural compound use would be indistinguishable from background 
levels or levels added as a flavo uring agent  and the fact that it degrades rapidly in the 
environment, it is not appropriate to be regulated against an MRL.  
Dietary Risk Assessment  
Methyl anthranilate  is present  in certain crops such as concord grapes. It  may also be used as 
a flavouring agent in certain processed foods. The substance is volatile and degrades when exposed to ultraviolet light and elevated temperatures to non -toxic substances. It has a low 
toxicity and is rapidly metabolized in human intestine and liver. Therefore, any residues  
occurring as a result of its agricultural uses will not represent a dietary risk.  
Toxicological /Public Health Assessment  
Methyl anthranilate has a low toxicity profile: it is of low acute toxicity and is not a skin or eye irritant. It does not trigger any of the chronic toxicity endpoints. Therefore, the exemption of methyl anthranilate  from an MRL to the conditions specified above is very unlikely to pose 
any health risks from consumption of the harvested commodity.  
Other International MRLs 
Country  Food Maximum Residue Limit 
(mg/kg) 
USA All food  Exempt  
 Under clause 6(3)(b) of the MRL Standards imported food may contain residues of agricultural compounds no greater than the MRLs specified for that food in the current editions or supplements of the FA O/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission publications 
Pesticide Residues in Food or Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods . 
 To meet New Zealand’s obligations under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures the proposed MRL will be notified to the World Trade Organization. Any country may choose to comment if they believe the proposed MRL represents a barrier to their trade.  
3.0 PROPOSAL TO EXEMPT N 6-BENZYLADENINE FROM A N MRL  
It is proposed that an MRL exemption is set for n6- benzyla denine when used as a n 
agricultural compound. It is proposed that  the entry for n6 -benzyladenine in  Schedule One of 
the MRL Standards be deleted : 
Compound Common 
Name  CAS#  Residue to which the 
maximum residue 
limit applies  Food  Maximum Permitted 
Residue Level (mg/kg)  
N6-Benzyladenine  1214 -39-7 N6-Benzyladenine  Apples  0.01(*)  
Cherries  0.01(*)  
 20 • Proposed Am endment to the NZ  (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards  Ministry for Primary Industries  Consequently, Schedule Two of the MRL Standards be amended to include the following; this 
will be the resulting entry for n6- benzyladenine in Schedule Two of the  MRL Standards:  
Substance  CAS#  Condition  
N6-Benzyladenine  1214 -39-7 Used as a plant growth 
regulator in pome fruits and 
cherries  
Amendment Rationale 
The proposed MRL exemption represents an amendment to the approved use pattern in 
New Zealand for n6- benz yladenine. While assessing the residue data, it was considered 
prudent to have an MRL exemption for n6- benzyladenine when used as a plant growth 
regulator based on the following rationales:  
• Residue analysis of b enzyladenine has indicated that it is rapidly  depleted from treated 
plants with residue being undetectable in fruit within a few days, as its use as a plant 
growth regulator requires it to be applied much earlier in the season to ha ve an effect .  
• If there are any detectable residues , it is not consid ered to be of any risk to the consumer . 
This is because the substance is of low acute toxicity after oral, dermal and inhalation exposure: it is neither a skin or eye irritant nor a skin sensitizer and does not trigger any of the chronic toxicity endpoint. Also it is e xtensively and rapidly absorbed and excreted 
after oral administration . 
Chemical Information 
Common name of compound  N6-Benzyladenine  
Use of compound  Plant Growth Regulator  
Chemical Abstract Services (CAS) Registry number  1214 -39-7 
Type of compound  Cytokinin  
Administration method  Spray  
Good Agricultural Practice 
N6-benzyladenine is proposed for use as a plant growth regulator with the following 
application rates: 
• Apples (fruitlet thinner) – 1800 gai/ha  
• Cherries (feathering) – 95 gai/1.5L of latex or acrylic acid.  
Residues Information 
Residue analysis of benzyladenine has indicated that it is rapidly depleted from treated plants 
with residue being undetectable in fruit within a few days . This is because its use as a plant 
growth regulator re quires it to be applied much earlier in the season to have an effect. 
Therefore,  it is not appropriate to be regulated against a . concentration level.  
Dietary Risk Assessment  
N6-benzyladenine is of low acute toxicity after oral, dermal and inhalation expo sure: it is 
neither a skin or eye irritant nor a skin sensitizer and does not trigger any of the chronic toxicity endpoint. Also it is e xtensively and rapidly absorbed and excreted after oral 
administration . Therefore, any residues  occurring as a result of  its agricultural uses will not 
represent a dietary risk.  
Toxicological /Public Health Assessment  
N6-benzyladenine is of low acute toxicity after oral, dermal and inhalation exposure: it is 
neither a skin or eye irritant nor a skin sensitizer and does not t rigger any of the chronic 
toxicity endpoint. Therefore, the exemption of methyl anthranilate  from an MRL to the  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Proposed Amendment to the NZ (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards  • 21 conditions specified above is very unlikely to pose any health risks from consumption of the 
harvested commodity.   
Other International MRLs 
Coun try Food  Maximum Residue Limit 
(mg/kg) 
USA Apple and Pear  Exempt when applied at a 
rate of ≤182 grams of active 
ingredient per acre per 
season  
Australia  Apple  0.2 
Pear  T0.2 
'T' denotes that the MRL, residue definition or use is temporary to enable fur ther 
experimental wor k to be carried out , and will be reconsidered at some future date  
 Under clause 6(3)(b) of the MRL Standards imported food may contain residues of agricultural compounds no greater than the MRLs specified for that food in the current editions or supplements of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission publications Pesticide Residues in Food or Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods . 
 To meet New Zealand’s obligations under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures the proposed MRL will be notified to the World Trade Organization. Any country may choose to comment if they believe the proposed MRL represents a barrier to their trade.