1. Purpose

The purpose of this Member Update is to inform GTA Members of the release of the 2025/26 Chemical Usage Recommendations and Outturn Tolerances document and to remind industry of the purpose of this document as it relates to market access.

2. Background & Changes to Chemical Usage Recommendations & Outturn Tolerances

The previous version of this document no longer applies, and this updated version should now be used by industry. Changes made from the previous version include:

• Minor formatting.
• Added a definition of a Codex ‘Guideline Level’.
• Clarify that Pesticide Residue Free (PRF) grain should not have any detectable chemical residues ‘at the lower level of reporting’.
• Changed the European Union deltamethrin MRLs for various pulses and sunflower seed.
• Clarified that for all cereal grains, the Codex Methyl Bromide MRL is a Guideline Level only.
• Added an Australian pyrethrin MRL and methyl bromide MRL for pulses.

A link to the updated version can be found here

These revised MRLs apply until further notice. Further information on this document can be found at graintrade.org.au/nwpgp/post-harvest-chemicals.

3. National Residue Survey

A reminder to GTA Members that as part of the Australian grain industry Code of Practice for the Management of grain along the supply chain (Code of Practice, section 2.4.1), it is a mandatory requirement for all bulk and container exporters to be a participant in the National Residue Survey (NRS) program.

A Technical Guideline Document (No. 20) providing further details on the NRS can be found at graintrade.org.au/technical-guidelines-documents.

4. Meeting Market Requirements

The Chemical Usage Recommendations and Outturn Tolerances document represents a critical guidance document for participants in the Australian grain industry. It is an important document to be referred to when marketing Australian grain to assist industry in adhering to MRLs. However, this document:

• Only lists MRLs in several key markets of Australian grain, including the Australian domestic market. Not all destination markets or commodities exported from Australia are listed.
• Only lists MRLs for post-harvest chemicals that are registered for use in Australia. Other chemicals such as in-crop chemicals are not listed.
• Lists post-harvest chemical MRLs as they are applied by the importing country government. Other contractual limits for chemicals may apply.

As per the Code of Practice, when out turning grain industry must comply with all market chemical requirements, this may include:

All Chemical MRLs:

• A range of In-crop and post-harvest chemical MRLs apply by market.
• Many markets also have a list of banned chemicals.
• All MRLs applying are generally not listed in contracts or official government documents such as Import Permits. Hence MRLs are not listed in MICoR. Industry should obtain information on the MRLs that apply from other sources such as from graintrade.org.au/nwpgp/mrls

Pre-Shipment Fumigation:

• Several markets have a requirement for mandatory fumigation pre-shipment as part of a quarantine requirement.
• Where this treatment is a quarantine requirement, the details are generally listed in MICoR (see https://micor.agriculture.gov.au/Plants/Pages/default.aspx).
• The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has several requirements in relation to mandatory pre-shipment fumigation or in-transit fumigation and information to be provided by industry to enable DAFF to produce export certification documents. Procedures to be followed when undertaking these fumigations are also outlined, noting DAFF are revising these and will strictly enforce them in the ensuing months. These requirements are outlined in the Plant Export Operations Manual located at www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/export/controlled-goods/plants-plant-products/plantexportsmanual
• Contracts may also require pre-shipment fumigation or fumigation on-board a vessel during transit.

5. Further Information

For further information on MRLs that apply by market, please contact Gerard McMullen, Chair NWPGP at gerard@mcmullengrainagricultural.com

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