EPA approves fungicide for treating onion mildew

EPA approves fungicide for treating onion mildew

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has approved with controls an application for the release of DuPont Zorvec Enicade Fungicide. This fungicide contains the active ingredient oxathiapiprolin, an ingredient not previously approved under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act.

DuPont Zorvec Enicade Fungicide is an oil dispersion formulation to be applied to onion foliage by boom spray methods. It is intended to be applied up to two times per crop cycle for the control of downy mildew in onions, with a minimum of 10 days between applications. The maximum application rate is equivalent to 35 g of oxathiapiprolin per hectare, with two applications permitted in the same area per year.

The application was open for public submissions and five submissions were received. A hearing was held on 9 March.

“After assessing the benefits, risks and costs associated with this herbicide during the various stages of its life cycle, the EPA decision-making committee approved the application for the release of DuPont Zorvec Enicade Fungicide with controls, in accordance with the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act,” said Applications and Assessment General Manager Sarah Gardner.

Controls are conditions or rules imposed on the approval that restrict the use of the substance to ensure people and the environment are protected properly when it is used, for example controls might require users to wear protective masks or gloves when spraying.

“In this case the additional controls include the setting of application rates, minimum intervals between spraying, maximum number of applications, restriction to ground-based application methods, and restriction against application onto or into water. These controls must be set out on the product label,” said Mrs Gardner.
ENDS

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