19 February 2025.
As the Mungbean crop progresses across Queensland, it is a timely reminder to be aware of the Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) and chemistry that is permitted for application per label.
Munbeans are sold directly into the food supply chain with little, if any processing done to them before being consumed. Australia has a reputation for producing good quality and clean pulses. When consigned crops exceed the MRL is poses real risks to human health and to Australia’s international reputation and trade access to countries.
Residue limits in any crop are at risk of being exceeded or breached where pesticides:
- are applied at rates higher than the maximum specified
- are applied more frequently than the maximum number of times specified per crop
- are applied within the specified withholding period (i.e. within the shortest time before harvest that a product can be applied)
- are not registered for the crop in question.
We need to be totally correct in our usage patterns of all our pesticides in our crops, especially pulses. Whilst it can be tempting to increase the rates applied to speed the kill or increase the effect, but this must be avoided. Applying products above label rates is illegal and a high-risk practice that can cause immense damage to the entire industry
Ensure you are completing your statuary declarations correctly. This is the last chance to flag a potential problem before grain is exported to a country that has a low or nil MRL.
A full list of permitted crop protection products and minor use permits for Mungbeans is available on the back page of the Mungbean Vedor Declaration Form and provided on page 2 of this alert, along with recent amendments for your reference.
If you have any questions regarding use patterns or label restrictions please contact the Australian Mungbean Association (secretary@mungbean.org.au) or call AgForce Grains Policy Director, Ruth Thompson on 0427 472 467.