Proposals to Amend the   
New Zealand ( Maximum  
Residue Levels for Agricultural 
Compounds ) Food Notice   
 
New Z ealand Food Safety Discussion  Paper  No: 2022/03 
 
  
Prepared for public consultation  
By New Zealand Food Safety  
 
 ISBN No: 978 -1-99-103939 -2 (online)  
ISSN No: 2624- 0157 (online)  
 
 
 
 
13 June 2022 
 
 
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 Estab lishing  Maximum Residue Levels  3 
2.2 Summary of Proposed Amendments  7 
3 Proposals  9 
3.1 Propo sal to  amend the MRLs fo r ab amectin 9 
3.2 Propo sal to  set MRLs fo r altrenog est  11 
3.3 Proposal to delete the Notice entry for azocyclotin  12 
3.4 Propo sal to  set MRLs fo r isofetamid  12 
3.5 Propo sal to  d elete the No tice entry fo r kanamycin 14 
3.6 Proposal to amend the MRLs for maldison (malathion)  14 
3.7 Proposal to amend the MRLs for nitroxynil  16 
3.8 Proposal to set MRLs for oleandomycin  17 
3.9 Propo sal to  amend the MRLs fo r sulfoxaflo r  18 
3.10  Proposal to amend the entry for phosphorous acid in Schedule 2  19 
 
   
2 • Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice  New Zealand Food Safety  1 Request for s ubmissions  
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.  
 
Do you agree or disagree with the proposed addition, amendment or deletion? 
 
For compounds listed in Schedule 1 , do you agree or disagree with the proposed 
MRL (s)?  
 
For compounds listed in Schedule s 2 or 3, do you agree or disagree with the listing or 
the conditions?  
 
Please feel free to include with your answers above, any supporting discussion, data or 
examples that you feel is relevant.  
 
Submissions close at 5pm on 12 August  2022 . Your comments 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 include that 
information is commercially sensitive or that the submitters wish personal information such as names or contact details to be withheld.  The Ministry for Primary Industries  will take such 
indication s 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, a nd 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 resid ue levels (MRLs) are then 
established for each compound/food commodity combination by evaluating the residues left in food commodities 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. Because 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 believe 
a proposed MRL represents a barrier to their trade.  
2.1 ESTABLISHING MAXIMUM RESIDUE LEVELS  
2.1.1 Regulatory Structure  
MRLs  are the maximum legal levels of agricultural compound residues  permitted in food for 
sale in New Zealand  and are set out in the Notice. The 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/dmsd ocument/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 
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 .   
4 • Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice  New Zealand Food Safety  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 agricultur al 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 Onli ne 
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 food commodities can comply with 
either a Codex MRL or a MRL established in the Not ice, 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 safety, 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 from 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 MRLs in food commodities from  treated  crops  and animals.   
Although the primary function of MRLs is to ensure conformance with established New 
Zealand GAP, the MRLs also play a role in 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 calculat ion 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 for approved or proposed agricultural compound uses . For veterinary 
medicines, MRLs may be proposed for animal products from a specific species ( e.g., cattle, 
chicken) or a species group ( e.g., mammalian, poultry) depending on the residue and 
metabolism profile of the agricultural compound being considered. Similarly,  for agricultural 
chemicals, an MRL may b e set for an individual crop or crop product ( e.g., avocados, wheat 
grains) or for a crop grouping ( e.g., pome fruits). When it has been determined that assigning 
an MRL to a crop grouping is appropriate, the grouping used aligns with the Codex classificat ions of foods and animal feeds.  
For a gricultural chemical s used on a crop from which both food and animal feed commodities 
are derived, MRLs are  proposed for both the food commodities intended for human 
consumption from the treated crop , and animal commodi ties for th e species or species group 
to which the feed commodity is fed.  If the compound for which the MRLs are set is also used 
as a veterinary medicine, all approved veterinary and agricultural chemical uses are  
New Zealand Food Safety  Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice •  5 considered when setting the animal commodity MRLs.  If an agricultural chemical is  used on 
a crop from which only animal feed is harvested (e.g., pasture, fodder crops) , only animal 
commodity MRLs will be proposed.   
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 i s 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 agricultural 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 then 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 determined 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 Organism s 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 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 the WHO and 
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations joint expert committees, 
which are made 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.  
New Zealand Food Safety  uses the PDE
(food) set by the NZ EPA as the HBGV for the 
estimation of dietary exposure 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 authority. If none of these are available, the HBGV used will be a New 
Zealand Food Safety -determined ADI.    
6 • Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice  New Zealand Food Safety  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 same 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.  
For animal commodities, the MRLs set by Australia, Canada, China, Codex, the European Union, Japan, and the U nited States  are commonly  reviewed and compared; for horticultural 
commodities, MRLs set by Codex and Australia are commonly  reviewed and compared. 
Other international MRLs  may also be reviewed and compared if there is a particular trade 
risk to be considered for those regions  for any exported commodity .  
Where there are relevant 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 a n 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 lis ted in Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 of the Notice, respectively , and the conditions of 
listing can be set  for a particular use, a particular 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 include an 
assessment of dietary exposure when considered necessary to ful ly assess the risks.  
Where New Zealand Food Safety has determined that a n 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 of 0.1 mg/kg will appl y to food derived from 
treated plants  or anima ls. 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 .   
New Zealand Food Safety  Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice •  7 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 included in this document (refer section 3) and covers:  
• the new or amended entry proposed for i nclusion 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 ; 
• a summary of the dietary risk  and public health assessment ; and 
• the MRLs set by Codex and other authorities  that are  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 t he 
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 addition of a new entr ies in the Notice for the following compounds:  
- Altrenogest, to set MRLs at 0.004 mg/kg in horse fat, 0.001(*) mg/kg in horse 
meat, and 0.004 mg/kg in horse offal;  
- Isofetamid, to set MRLs  at 0.08 mg/kg for grapes, 0.01(*) mg/kg for 
mammalian meat, 0.01(*) mg/kg for mammalian offal, and 0.01(*) mg/kg for 
milk; and  
- Oleandomycin, to set MRLs at 0.1 mg/kg for cattle meat, 0.1 mg/kg for cattle 
offal, and 0.05 (*) mg/kg for cattle milk.  
• The amendment of the existing entr ies in the Notice for the following compound s: 
- Abamectin, to set MRLs at 0.02 mg/kg for cattle liver, 0.01 mg/kg for cattle 
kidney, 0.0 03(*) mg/kg for milk , 0.02 mg/kg for deer liver, 0.01 mg/kg for deer 
kidney, 0.01 mg/kg for deer  fat, and 0.01 mg/kg for deer meat ; 
- Nitroxynil, to add a MRL of 0.02(*) mg/kg for cattle milk;  
- Maldison (Malathion), to align the crop grouping for ‘Fruiting Vegetables’ with 
that set by Codex;  
- Sulfoxaflor, to align the crop grouping for ‘Fruiting Vegetables’ with that set by Codex;  
• The removal of the existing entr ies in the Notice for azocyclotin and kanamycin.  
(*) indicates that the maximum residue level has been set at or about the limit of analytical quantification.   
8 • Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice  New Zealand Food Safety  2.2.2 Amendment to Schedule 2 : Agricultural Chemicals  for which No Maximum Residue Level 
Applies  
• MPI proposes to amend the existing entry for phosphoro us acid, to adjust the wording 
of the condition of applied to the Schedule 2 listing to clarify its scope.   
   
New Zealand Food Safety  Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice •  9 3 Proposals  
3.1 PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE MRLS FOR ABAMECTIN  
It is proposed that MRLs for abamectin are amended to better support the GAP use of the 
compound in cattle  and deer .  
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)  
Abamectin  71751 -42-2 Sum of: avermectin B1a and 
avermectin B1b  Avocados  
Bulb onions  
Cattle fat 
Cattle kidney  
Cattle liver  
Cattle meat  
Deer fat  
Deer kidney 
Deer liver  
Deer meat  
Green onions  
Kiwifruit  
Milk 
Pome fruits  
Sheep fat  
Sheep kidney  
Sheep liver  
Sheep meat  
Strawberries  
Tomatoes  0.02(*)  
0.01 
0.02 
0.01 
0.02 
0.01 
0.01 
0.01 
0.02 
0.01 
0.02(*) 
0.02(*)  
0.003(*) 
0.02(*)  
0.05 
0.02 
0.025  
0.02 
0.02(*)  
0.1 
(*) indicates that the maximum residue level has been set at or about the limit of analytical quantification.  
3.1.1 Amendment Rationale  
Abamectin has been used in cattle and deer in New Zealand  for parasite control since 1996, 
with cattle kidney, milk, and all deer commodities subject to compliance with the New 
Zealand default MRL of 0.1 mg/kg. A review of the use of abamectin in cattle and deer has 
recently been undertaken to ensure the regulatory controls applied are appropr iate, including 
MRLs and withholding periods. The revised entry  is proposed to better reflect the residue 
profile expected in these species when use d according to the use pattern s considered as 
GAP in New Zealand.  All other veterinary and horticultural uses were out of scope for the 
review and therefore no changes are proposed for other commodities.  
3.1.2 Good Agricultural Practice  
Abamectin is a n avermectin which, when used as a veterinary medicine, acts as a parasiticide 
in ruminant helminths and ectoparasites by inhibiting neurotransmitters  in the gamma -
aminobutyric acid (GABA) system. It is approved for use in New Zealand in s ingle -active topical 
products used in cattle and deer, and with other active ingredients in topical, oral, and systemic 
formulations for use in cattle, deer, sheep, and horses . Abamectin is used in ruminants at a 
dose rate of either 0.2 mg/kg when administered by oral administration or injection, or 0.5 
mg/kg when applied topically. Cattle meat withholding periods range from 10 to 35 days 
depending on administration route, while topical administration to deer attracts a meat 
withholding period of 28 days.  
It is noted that abamectin has been permitted for use in dairy animals for parasite control in 
New Zealand. As an outcome of the recent review, all products containing abamectin now  
10 • Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice  New Zealand Food Safety  attract a 35 day milk withholding period for all administration routes, limiting the compound’s 
use to only those animals outside of the lactation period. Setting the MRL to approximate the 
limit of quantification will act to further mitigate the potential for abamectin milk residues.   
3.1.3 Residue Information 
The residue data for the use of abamectin in cattle and deer  are sufficient to conclude that, 
when used according to established GAP in these species  and observing the applicable 
withholding periods, residues of abamectin according to the residue definition are expected to remain below 0.02 mg/kg in cattle and deer liver, 0.01 mg/kg in cattle kidney, deer kidney, 
deer fat, and dear meat, and 0.003 mg/kg in cattle m ilk. The current residue definition of 
‘Sum of: avermectin B1a and avermectin B1b’  remains  appropriate to for animal commodities  
for both GAP compliance and dietary intake assessment.   
3.1.4 Dietary Risk Assessment  
The HBGV  of 0.002 mg/kg bw/d was considered appropriate for use in the assessment.  
Based on the residue profile expected in food from animals treated  with or exposed to 
abamectin  when used according to GAP, the NEDI is estimated to total less than 9% of the 
HBGV.  
New Zealand Food Safety  has therefore determined that the use of abamectin in cattle and 
deer in accordance with the GAP specified above and complying with the revised MRLs , is 
unlikely to pose any health risks from authorised use.   
3.1.5 Relevant International MRLs 
Authority  Food                                                                         Maximum Residue Level 
(mg/kg)  
Codex  Cattle liver  
Cattle fat 
Cattle kidney  0.1 
0.1 
0.05 
Australia  Cattle fat  
Cattle meat  
Cattle milk  
Cattle, edible offal of  0.1 
0.005  
0.02 
0.1 
Canada  Fat of cattle  
Kidney of cattle 
Liver of cattle 
Muscle of cattle  0.1 
0.05 
0.05 
0.01 
European Union  Bovine fat  
Bovine liver  0.01 
0.02 
Japan Cattle muscle  
Other terrestrial mammals, muscle 
Cattle fat 
Other terrestrial mammals, fat  
Cattle liver  
Other terrestrial mammals, liver  
Cattle kidney  
Other terrestrial mammals, kidney  
Cattle edible offal  
Other terrestrial mammals, edible offal  
Milk 0.02 
0.01 
0.1 
0.1 
0.1 
0.05 
0.06 
0.01 
0.06 
0.01 
0.02 
   
New Zealand Food Safety  Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice •  11 3.2 PROPOSAL TO SET MRLS FOR ALTRENOGEST    
It is proposed that MRLs are set for altrenogest  to support the GAP use of the compound as 
a veterinary medicine in  horses .  
There is currently no entry for altrenogest  in the Notice and therefore the default MRL 
applies. The new 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)  
Altrenogest  850-52-2 Altrenogest  Horse fat 
Horse meat  
Horse offal  0.004 
0.001(*) 
0.004 
(*) indicates that the maximum residue level has been set at or about the limit of analytical quantification.  
3.2.1 Amendment Rationale  
Altrenogest has been used in New Zealand as a veterinary medicine since the 1980s as a 
zootechnical agent to manage reproduction in horses. Because horses are a food- producing 
species, food commodities derived from treated animals have been subject to compliance with the New Zealand default MRL of 0.1 mg/kg. The new MRLs are being proposed to better 
support the use of altrenogest in horses  in accordance with the dose rates and use patterns 
considered as GAP in New Zealand.   
3.2.2 Good Agricultural Practice  
Altrenogest  is a synthetic steroidal progestomimetic compound used exclusively in New 
Zealand to manage oestrus and pregnancy in breeding mares. There are two forms of 
altrenogest available for use: oral formulations administered at 0.044 mg/kg/day for 10 to 15 
days, and long- acting injectable formulations administered at 0.3 mg/kg every 5- 7 days or 
0.45 mg/kg every 10 days. Use of oral altrenogest attracts a withholding period of 28 days, while animals treated with injectable altrenogest  attract a requirement t hat treated animals 
are not to be used to produce food for human consumption.  
Altrenogest is not approved for use in any other species or for any other purposes in New Zealand.  
3.2.3 Residue Information 
The residue data for the use of oral altrenogest  are sufficient to establish MRLs for the use 
patterns and withholding period considered GAP in New Zealand. When used according to 
GAP, and complying with the applicable withholding period, altrenogest  resid ues will remain 
less than 0.001 mg/kg in meat and 0.004 mg/kg in all other tissues. A residue definition of 
‘altrenogest ’ has been determined to be appropriate to manage New Zealand GAP 
compliance and dietary intake in accordance with the residue definitions established by overseas authorities.  
3.2.4 Dietary Risk Assessment  
The HBGV  of 0.001 µg/kg bw/d, and the stated dietary intake residue definition, are  
considered appropriate for use in the dietary intake assessment. Based on the residue profile 
expected in food from  horses treated with altrenogest , the NEDI is estimated to total less 
than 2% of the HBGV.  
MPI has therefore determined that the use of altrenogest acc ording to the GAP specified 
abov e is unlikely to pose any health risks from authorised use.    
12 • Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice  New Zealand Food Safety  3.2.5 Rele vant International MRLs  
Authority  Food Maximum Residue  
Level (mg/kg)  
European Union   Equine fat  
Equine liver  0.004 
0.004 
Japan  Other terrestrial mammals, muscle  
Other terrestrial mammals, fat 
Other terrestrial mammals, liver  
Other terrestrial mammals, kidney  
Other terrestrial mammals, edible offal                                                                0.001 
0.004 
0.004 
0.004 
0.004 
3.3 PROPOSAL TO DELETE THE NOTICE ENTRY FOR AZOCYCLOTIN   
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)  
Azocyclotin   41083 -11-8 Sum of: azocyclotin and 
cyhexatin  
Expressed as: cyhexatin  Fruits  2 
3.3.1 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 azocyclotin was de -registered in 2008). A zocyclotin MRLs are therefore no longer required to manage 
the GAP use of the compound in New Zealand.   
3.4 PROPOSAL TO SET MRL S FOR  ISOFETAMID  
It is proposed that  MRL s are  set for isofetamid to support the GAP use of the compound on 
grapes.  
There is currently no entry for isofetamid in the Notice. The new 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)  
Isofetamid  875915 -78-9 Plant commodities: Isofetamid  
 
Animal commodities: Sum of 
isofetamid and 2- [3-methyl -4-
[2-methyl -2-(3-
methylthiophene -2-
carboxamido) 
propanoyl]phenoxy]propanoic acid (PPA), expressed as 
isofetamid.  
 Grapes  
Mammalian meat  
Mammalian offal  
Milk 0.08 
0.01(*)  
0.01(*)  
0.01(*)  
(*) indicates that the maximum residue level has been set at or about the limit of analytical quantification.  
3.4.1 Amendment Rationale  
The MRLs are being proposed to support the use of the novel compound isofetamid in 
grapes. The proposed MRL  for grapes  will manage the use of the compound in accordance  
New Zealand Food Safety  Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice •  13 with the  use pattern and withholding period that are proposed as GAP in New Zealand . 
MRLs  have been proposed for animal tissues to manage the practices of using sheep for lea f 
plucking in vineyards, and post -harvest grazing in vineyards.  
3.4.2 Good Agricultural Practice  
Isofetamid is a succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicide which acts by inhibiting 
mitochondrial respiration in the Asc omycetes  and Deuteromycetes  fungal groups.  The 
proposed use for isofetamid to control Botrytis and as a protectant against powdery mildew in grapes is  for up to two applications at  a rate of 37.5 gai/100L water, with a minimum 10 day 
interval, before bunch  closure. The Withholding Period that applied is ‘Do NOT apply after 
pre-bunch closure’. For the practice of using sheep for leaf plucking in vineyards, the 
applicable slaughter interval  is ‘Where vineyard leaf plucking is carried out, a 2- month clean 
feed interval before slaughter or collection of milk for human consumption must be observed 
after stock have been removed from the vineyard’. When stock are grazed post -harvest in 
vineyards, the label states that no clean feed slaughter or milking interval applies.  
3.4.3  Residue Information 
The residue data for the use of isofetamid are sufficient to conclude that, when applied 
according to the proposed GAP use pattern, residues of isofetamid should not exceed 0.08 mg/kg in grapes at harvest. The residue definition of ‘ isofetamid ’ (parent)  is appropriate for 
plant commodities for GAP compliance and dietary intake assessment.  
Animal metabolism and feeding study data characterising residues in animal commodities 
following exposure to isofetamid w ere assessed and were sufficient to conclude that use of 
the compound on grapes and subsequent vineyard grazing and leaf plucking practices will 
not result in residues above 0.01 mg/kg in animal commodit ies. The proposed residue 
definitions applicable in New Zealand for animal commodities align with those established by 
Codex: ‘Sum of isofetamid and 2- [3-methyl -4-[2-methyl -2-(3-methylthiophene-2-
carboxamido) propanoyl]phenoxy]propanoic acid (PPA), expressed as isofetamid’  for both 
GAP compliance and dietary intake.   
3.4.4 Dietar y Risk Assessment  
The HBGV of 0. 035 mg/kg bw/day was considered appropriate for use in the assessment. 
Based on the residue profile expected in food from crops treated with isofetamid  the NEDI is 
estimated to total less than 0.2 % of the HBGV  for the average New Zealand adult.  
New Zealand Food Safety  has therefore determined that the use of  isofetamid  according to 
the GAP specified above is unlikely to pose any health risks from authorised use.   
 
3.4.5 Relevant International MRLs 
Authority  Food Maximum Residue Level 
(mg/kg)  
Codex  Edible offal (mammalian)  
Mammalian fats (except milk fats)  
Meat (from mammals other than marine mammals)  
Milks  
Small fruit vine climbing  0.07 
0.02 
0.02 
0.01 
3 
Australia  Edible offal (mammalian)  
Meat (mammalian) [in the fat]  
Milks  
Milk fats  0.02 
0.02 
0.02 
0.02 
Canada  Fat of cattle, goats, and sheep  
Meat byproducts of cattle, goats and sheep  
Meat of cattle, goats and sheep  
Milk 0.01 
0.01 
0.01 
0.01  
14 • Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice  New Zealand Food Safety  Authority  Food Maximum Residue Level 
(mg/kg)  
European Union  All bovine, sheep, and goat commodities, including milk  0.01 
Japan All animal commodities, including milk  0.01 
3.5 PROPOSAL TO DELETE THE NOTICE ENTRY FOR K ANAMYCIN   
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)  
Kanamycin   59-01-8 Kanamycin A  Milk 0.15 
3.5.1 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 kanamycin 
was de -registered in 2006). Kanamycin  MRLs are therefore no longer required to manage 
GAP use of the compound in New Zealand.   
3.6 PROPOSAL TO AMEND  THE MRLS FOR M ALDISON ( MALATHION)  
It is proposed that MRLs for maldison (malathion) are amended to align the crop grouping for 
‘Fruiting vegetables’ with the new Codex food classification.  
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) 
Maldison 
(malathion)  121-75-5 Maldison  Asparagus  
Avocados  
Broccoli  
Brussels sprouts  
Bulb vegetables  Cabbages  
Cattle fat  Cauliflowers  
Celery  
Cereal grains  Citrus fruits  Cucumbers  
Eggs  
Fruiting vegetables (except cucumbers, melons, 
mushrooms,  sweet peppers, 
sweetcorn , and tomatoes)  
Grapes  
Horse fat  
Leafy vegetables  Legume vegetables  
Melons  1  
2 8  
8  
5  
5  
1  
5  
5  
8  
5  
0.2  
1  
  
 
8  
5  
1  
5  
3  
2   
New Zealand Food Safety  Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice •  15 Compound 
Common Name  CAS#  Residue to which the 
maximum residue 
limit applies  Food Maximum 
Residue Level 
(mg/kg)  
   Mushrooms  
Peppers (sweet)  Pig fat  
Pome fruits  Root vegetables  Stone fruits  
Sweetcorn  
Tomatoes  
Tuber vegetables  Meat, fat or offal from any other 
animal  
Milk 1  
1  
1  
0.5  
3  
5  
1  
5  
3  
 
0.5  
0.5 
3.6.1 Amendment Rationale  
The amendment is proposed to clarify existing MRLs and align with Codex crop groupings. 
As sweetcorn and mushrooms are no longer included in the Codex crop grouping for ‘Fruiting vegetables’, it is proposed that they are removed from the description as they no longer need to be specifically stated as exceptions from the ‘Fruiting vegetables’ crop group. Separate MRLs of 1 mg/kg for the approved uses for sweetcorn and mushrooms are currently listed in the table. The proposed wording change will not alter the MRL which applies for any of the 
foods listed.   
3.6.2 Good Agricultural Practice  
Maldison (known elsewhere in the world as malathion, the approved ISO common name)  is a 
broad spectrum, non- systemic organophosphorous insecticide  with activity against a wide 
range of insect pests of agricultural crops and animals. Maldison has been used in New Zealand since 1979. There are currently four registered products containing the active 
ingredient maldison in New Zealand, with uses for control of black field crickets in pasture; 
control of a wide range of insects in fruit crops, field crops, and vegetables; and control of grain storage pests in stored grain and silos. The current GAP remains unchanged.  
3.6.3 Relevant International MRLs 
Authority  Food Maximum Residue Level 
(mg/kg)  
Codex  Cucumber  
Peppers  
Sweet corn (corn -on-the-cob) 
Tomato  0.2 
0.1 
0.02 
0.5 
Australia  Cucumber  
Fruiting vegetables, cucurbits {except cucumber}  
Fruiting vegetables , other than cucurbits  {except Peppers, sweet 
[capsicum]}  
Peppers, sweet [capsicum]  3 
2 
 
3 
T5 
 
   
16 • Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice  New Zealand Food Safety  3.7 PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE MRLS FOR N ITROXYNIL    
It is proposed that MRLs for nitroxynil are amended to better support the GAP use of the 
compound in cattle.  
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)  
Nitroxynil 1689- 89-0 Nitroxynil Cattle fat  
Cattle kidney  
Cattle liver  
Cattle meat  
Cattle milk  0.2 
0.4 
0.02 
0.4 
0.02(*)  
(*) indicates that the maximum residue level has been set at or about the limit of analytical quantification.  
3.7.1 Amendment Rationale  
Nitroxynil has been approved for use in cattle in New Zealand for parasite control since 2009 , 
with cattle fat, kidney, liver, and meat commodities attracting set withholding periods. The 
compound is however not permitted for use in lactating cattle, so a milk MRL was not 
previously set. The revised entry is proposed to better reflect the GAP use of nitroxynil in 
cattle , with the setting of the milk MRL at the limit of analytical quantification to indicate the 
exclusion of use in dairy cattle.  
3.7.2 Good Agricultural Practice  
Nitroxynil is a halogenated phenol fasciolicide which acts by uncoupling oxidative 
phosphorylation in the target parasite. It is used in veterinary medicine as a treatment for 
Fasciola hepatica in cattle at a dose rate of 10.2 mg/kg, in combination with ivermectin and 
clorsulon. Use of t his combination attracts a meat withholding period of 56 days, with a 
restriction that  the product must not be used in lactating cows or pregnant cattle that may in 
the future produce milk for human consumption.   
3.7.3 Residue Information 
Because the compound is  not permitted for use in dairy cattle, the proposed MRL will be set 
to ensure a lack of residues in milk rather than a level conforming to GAP use. As such, it was not necessary to evaluate milk residue data for nitrox ynil.  
3.7.4 Dietary Risk Assessment  
The HBGV  of 0.005  mg/kg bw/d was considered appropriate for use in the assessment.  
Based on the residue profile expected in food from animals treated with nitroxynil  when used 
according to GAP, the NEDI is estimated to total less than 17% of the HBGV.  
New Zealand Food Safety  has therefore determined that the use of nitroxynil in cattle  
according to the GAP specified above and complying with the revised MRLs, is unlikely to 
pose any health risks from authorised use.   
   
New Zealand Food Safety  Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice •  17 3.7.5 Relevant International MRLs 
Authority  Food Maximum Residue Level 
(mg/kg)  
Australia  Cattle  meat  
Cattle  edible offal  1 
1 
European Union  Bovine  muscle  
Bovine fat  
Bovine liver  
Bovine kidney  
Milk 0.4 
0.2 
0.02 
0.4 
0.02 
Japan Cattle muscle  
Cattle fat 
Cattle liver  
Cattle kidney  
Cattle edible offal  0.5 
0.6 
0.5 
0.5 
0.5 
3.8 PROPOSAL TO SET MRLS  FOR  OLEANDOMYCIN  
It is proposed that MRLs are  set for oleandomycin to support the GAP use of the compound 
in cattle . 
There is currently no entry for oleandomycin in the Notice. The new 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)  
Oleandomycin  3922 -90-5 Oleandomycin  Cattle meat  
Cattle offal  
Cattle milk 0.1 
0.1 
0.05(*)  
(*) indicates that the maximum residue level has been set at or about the limit of analytical quantification.  
3.8.1 Amendment Rationale  
Oleandomycin has been registered for use in New Zealand cattle since the late 1960s and 
has been subject to compliance with the New Zealand default MRL of 0.1 mg/kg. While the GAP use of the compound has not changed over time, the new MRLs are being proposed to 
better support the use of the compound in cattle to provide better visibility of the expected 
residue levels with that GAP use and observing the applicable withholding periods. 
 
3.8.2 Good Agricultural Practice  
Oleandomycin is a macrolide antibiotic which works by binding the 50s subunit of bacterial ribosomes to inhibit protein synthesis. It is used in New Zealand in dairy cattle in the management of acute and chronic mastitis requiring intervention with a macrolide antibiotic at an intram ammary dose rate of 100mg per infected quarter once daily for three days .  
As a macrolide, oleandomycin is classed as a critically important antibiotic. GAP use of a critically important antibiotic is to reserve the use of the compound for conditions that respond poorly to other classes of antibiotic following culture and sensitivity testing with use limited to only the minimum period needed to meet the clinical objective.   
3.8.3  Residue Information 
The residue data for the use of oleandomycin a re sufficient to conclude that, when used in 
dairy cattle according to the established GAP and observing the applicable withholding 
periods , residues of oleandomycin should not exceed 0. 1 mg/kg in meat and offal and below 
the limit of quantification (0.05 mg/kg) in milk.  The residue definition of ‘ oleandomycin ’ is 
considered appropriate for both GAP compliance and dietary intake assessment.    
18 • Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice  New Zealand Food Safety  3.8.4 Dietary Risk Assessment  
The HBGV of 0.0 075 mg/kg bw/day was considered appropriate for use in the assessment. 
Based on the residue profile expected in food from  cattle  treated with oleandomycin,  the 
NEDI is estimated to total less than 6% of the HBGV for the average New Zealand adult.  
New Zealand Food Safety  has therefore determined that the use of oleandomycin according 
to the GAP specified above is unlikely to pose any health risks from authorised use.   
 
3.8.5 Relevant International MRLs 
Authority  Food Maximum Residue Level 
(mg/kg)  
Australia  Edible offal (mammalian)  
Meat (mammalian)  0.1 
0.1 
3.9 PROPOSAL TO AMEND  THE MRLS FOR SULFOXAFLOR  
It is proposed that MRLs for sulfoxaflor are amended to align the crop grouping for ‘Fruiting 
vegetables’ with the new Codex food classification.  
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)  
Sulfoxaflor  946578 -00-3 Sulfoxaflor  Barley grain  
Cauliflower  
Cucurbits (except pumpkins and 
winter squash)  
Head lettuce  
Fruiting vegetables , (except  
other than cucurbits sweetcorn and mushrooms ) 
Leafy vegetables (except head lettuce)  
Mammalian fat  
Mammalian kidney  
Mammalian liver  Mammalian meat  
Milk  
Root and  tuber vegetables  
Vegetable brassicas (except cauliflower)  
Wheat grain  0.01(*)  
0.1  
 0.5  
1.0  
  
1.0  
5  
0.04  
0.1  
0.2  
0.07  
0.03  
0.05  
  
3  
0.01(*)  
(*) indicates that the maximum residue level has been set at or about the limit of analytical quantification.  
3.9.1 Amendment Rationale  
The amendment is proposed to clarify existing MRLs and align with Codex crop groupings. 
As sweetcorn and mushrooms are no longer included in the Codex crop grouping for ‘Fruiting vegetables’, it is proposed that they are removed from the description. Separate MRLs are not required as there are no approved uses for either sweetcorn or mushrooms. Instead, it is 
proposed that cucurbits are specifically excluded from the ‘Fruiting vegetables’ grouping, as 
there is an existing MRL for the ‘Cucurbits’ subgroup. The proposed wording change will not alter the MRL which applies for any of the foods listed.    
New Zealand Food Safety  Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice •  19 3.9.2 Good Agricultural Practice  
Sulfoxaflor is a sulfoximine insecticide with systemic activity against sap -sucking ins ects 
which has been used in New Zealand since 2013. There is currently one registered product 
containing the active ingredient sulfoxaflor in New Zealand, with uses for control of aphids 
and whitefly on wheat, barley, forage brassicas, cucurbits (excluding pumpkins and winter 
squash), fruiting vegetables, leafy vegetables, root and tuber vegetables and vegetable 
brassicas.  The current GAP remains unchanged.  
3.9.3 Relevant International MRLs 
Authority  Food Maximum Residue Level 
(mg/kg)  
Codex  Cucurbits  
Fruiting vegetables, other than cucurbits  0.5 
1.5 
Australia  Fruiting vegetables, cucurbits  
Fruiting vegetables, other than cucurbits [except sweet corn 
(corn -on-the-cob)]  0.5 
 
1 
3.10 PROPOSAL TO A MEND THE ENTRY FOR PHOSPHOROUS ACID IN 
SCHEDULE 2 
It is proposed that the entry for phosphorous acid in Schedule 2 of the Notice is amended to 
clarify the intended scope of the entry regarding its condition of listing. When the entry was extended in 2011, the intent of the change was to allow for the listing to apply when either the compound is directly applied as an agricultural compound or to  manage residues arising 
from the use of fosetyl aluminium. The change being proposed to this entry is to better represent this intent by making it clearer that the entry applies to two separate situations.   
The amended entry in Schedule 2 will read as follows:  
Substance  CAS#  Condition  
Phosphorous  acid 10294 -56-1 or 
13598 -36-2 When directly used as an agricultural compound, or when  
representative  of the use of fosetyl aluminium as an agricultural 
compound.