Australia's Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) recently officially announced the suspension of product registrations and label approvals for chemical products containing dimethoate for use on three berry crops: blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. This regulatory decision was not impulsive but followed a one-month public consultation process.

The regulatory measures introduced by APVMA have a clear scope, effectively avoiding overinterpretation and panic within the industry. The announcement explicitly specifies that the suspension applies solely to blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Dimethoate's registration and usage qualifications for other crops such as wheat, rice, and vegetables remain unaffected, allowing manufacturers to conduct related business as usual. Meanwhile, after a comprehensive inspection, the regulatory authority confirmed that all other pesticide chemicals used on these three berry types in the Australian market currently meet existing safety standards and do not require additional regulatory restrictions for the time being. From a procedural perspective, the policy's implementation adhered to a standardized public participation mechanism. In August this year, APVMA first released an initial proposal to suspend dimethoate use on berries and simultaneously launched a one-month public consultation. During this period, the regulatory authority extensively collected opinions and demands from multiple stakeholders, including berry growers, pesticide manufacturers, industry associations, food safety agencies, and consumer representatives. After comprehensive analysis and demonstration, the final suspension decision was formulated and released, ensuring the policy aligns with the actual needs of the industry.

Changes in consumer habits and updated relevant data are the core drivers behind this regulatory adjustment. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) compiled a detailed consumer trend report through long-term market monitoring and data statistics. The report shows that in recent years, the per capita intake of blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries among Australian consumers has increased significantly compared to 2017, when dimethoate's safety was last assessed. This change directly altered the basis for evaluating dietary exposure risks to pesticides—with constant pesticide residue levels, increased human intake directly raises the probability of potential health risks. Based on this key data variable, APVMA organized a professional technical team to re-calculate and assess dimethoate's dietary exposure levels in the three berry types. The results indicated that even if growers use dimethoate strictly in accordance with the dosage, application methods, and frequency specified on product labels, the safety margin between residual levels at harvest and the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for humans no longer meets current regulatory requirements. It is important to clarify, however, that APVMA specifically noted in the announcement that sampling tests on berries circulating in the market show current detected dimethoate residues "do not pose a clear and serious health risk." The suspension is more a prudent measure following the "precautionary principle," aimed at pre-emptively avoiding potential risk accumulation from long-term consumption.

The food safety of the three berry types is the primary concern of ordinary consumers. In response, APVMA explicitly stated in the announcement that the suspension of dimethoate's registration for berries does not mean the blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries currently on the market have safety hazards, and consumers can purchase and consume them with confidence. This conclusion is supported by two key factors: first, as mentioned earlier, dimethoate residues in sampled market berries are within safe limits and do not reach thresholds harmful to human health; second, Australia has established a full-chain agricultural product quality inspection system covering "planting-processing-circulation-sales." All berries entering the market must undergo strict residue testing, and substandard products are directly intercepted and destroyed, ensuring food safety from the source. Meanwhile, to minimize the sudden impact of the regulatory policy on growers, APVMA has set up a transition arrangement: during the suspension period, growers can continue to use dimethoate for pest and disease control but must strictly adhere to a 14-day pre-harvest interval. This interval is a scientific figure derived from repeated tests and calculations, ensuring that dimethoate residues in berries degrade naturally to within safe standards by harvest. It not only guarantees consumer safety but also provides growers with sufficient buffer time to adjust their pesticide application plans and find alternative products.

For manufacturers holding dimethoate product registration certificates, APVMA has formulated clear compliance pathways, offering flexible options. Enterprises can choose one of two paths to lift the suspension restrictions: the first is to submit a registration modification application to APVMA, adding a specific 14-day pre-harvest interval label for blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries to product labels. Upon approval, they can resume usage qualifications for the three berry types. The second path is to directly apply to modify the product registration scope, removing the three berry types from the registered use scenarios and focusing on other crop markets. This differentiated compliance arrangement balances the market positioning and operational needs of different enterprises, avoiding unnecessary losses caused by a "one-size-fits-all" policy. At the same time, requirements such as adding interval labels force enterprises to strengthen product quality control, promote the research and application of low-residue, high-safety pesticides in the industry, and support the transformation and upgrading of the entire pesticide sector.

In the future, APVMA will continue to monitor dimethoate usage and pest control in berries, dynamically optimizing regulatory policies. For growers and enterprises, proactively adapting to regulatory requirements and increasing investment in technological innovation are key to achieving sustainable development. This suspension fully demonstrates that only by establishing a scientific and dynamic regulatory system can a positive balance be achieved between food safety and industrial development.