Strides by Malawi and Zimbabwe to comply fully with MRLs requirements

Transcription

1 Strides by Malawi and Zimbabwe to comply fully with MRLs requirements Introduction The tea industries of Malawi and Zimbabwe have jointly pledged to: Comply fully with the MRLs requirements to ensure that the tea produced in these two countries is a safe product to drink. Strive to become an insecticide free industry by adopting the IPM approach in preference to chemical control. Largely to the use of cultural practices (build up sufficient parasites and predators of most pests) Where economically justifiable only use pesticides which have been approved by FAO / IGG (strictly following GAPs).

2 Methodology Tea Research Foundation of Central Africa (TRFCA) mandated to oversee the pesticide use activities in the two countries to ensure and reinforce full compliance. Several steps were undertaken by TRFCA resulting into production of the Code of Conduct for MRLs & Pesticides use in Malawi and Zimbabwe.

3 Work done and achievements / failures TRFCA engaged two consultants to undertake work on use of pesticides in tea and MRLs. In 2007 the first consultant, Dr Vermeulen: Conducted a questionnaire survey on insect pests and pesticides used in tea in Malawi and Zimbabwe. Found that too many insecticides were used on tea, some of which had no official MRLs. (too many insecticides would make reinforcement of compliance very difficult)

4 In 2008 the second consultant, Mr C J Lightfoot: Visited growers in Malawi and Zimbabwe to establish the pests and the pesticides used to control them, and Pesticides Control Boards of each country to ensure that the pesticides are registered. Convened meetings with the growers in both countries to discuss the potential pesticides for use in the two countries. Consulted various organizations involved with tea imports and food safety requirements regarding the MRLs acceptable in their organizations.

5 Outcome from his work A short approved list comprising eight pesticides along with a reserve list were agreed upon by growers for use in the two countries (Table 1). It was established that most of the chemicals in the approved list are registered for use on tea in the two countries and their registration is being checked for international recognition. Efforts are underway to ensure that those not yet registered are also registered.

6 Table 1. Approved list of pesticides for use on tea in Malawi and Zimbabwe Active ingredient A.I. Trade name Target pests & diseases Application Area/Method PESTICIDES A.I. in Produc t Toxicity (Zim/Mal lables) Mix rate ml/l Apply rate, product/ha P-HI, Safe period Acaricides Polysulphide Suphur Lime Sulphur LC Red spider mite, Yellow tea mite, Scarlet mite Spot spray in Field FCS as/where necessary 24.8% Green ?? Ml 7 days (on peas, tomatoe s)

7 Table 1 Continued.. Lime Sulphur 24.8 SL Calcium Polysulphi de Lime Sulphur EC Sulphur Thiovit Jet 80 WG 80% Green Flowable Sulphur 70 70%

8 Table 1 continued Fungicides Copper Hydroxide Funguran- OH WP 77% Amber Equiv mix at 20001/ha 3 to 5 kg/ha [14 days] Nurseries not plucked Copper Oxychloride Kocide 101 WP Copper Oxychlorid e 850 Grey/bro wn bright, eye spot in nurseries Nursery use only. FCS days, or as necessary 85% Blue Suncop 850

9 Table1. continued.. Post-emergent Herbicides Erase 360 SC Grasses, broad-leaf, nutsedge. Post emergent Field edges & young interrow. When necessaryintervals of 2 to 6 months. Dose rate depends on 36% only, avoid other forms Green 15 0,5-6litres [14 days]. Avoid spraying on tea Glyphosat e SL Glyphosat e 36 SL

10 Table 1 continued.. Glyphosat e 360 SL Size of weeds Glyphosat e 360 EC Mamba 360 SL Mebron Wipeout 36 EC Round up 360 Scat 360 SL Springbok 360

11 Table 1 continued Pre- emergent Herbicide S- Metolach lor Dual Magnum EC Metolach lor 720 EC Grasses & some broadleaf weeds. Preemergen t Field edges & directed inter-row. With early rain on clear ground before weeds germinat e 96% Green/gr een ltr 20% more on heavy soil (>30% clay) [14 days} Avoid any contact on tea 72%

12 Most of the chemicals in the approved list are registered for use on tea in the two countries

13 Implementation process to ensure full compliance Sampling regime Growers considered the three sampling levels as recommended by the European Tea Committee issue 11 September 2008 and opted to do self regulation but only at the reduced level (TRFCA mandated to undertake the sampling exercise) Good Agricultural Practices For formulations on the approved list of pesticides in MW and ZW, prepared on the exact form supplied by ETC. (will be updated as necessary & information be generated where it is lacking). Residue trials to facilitate registration for tea Pesticides Control Boards of the two countries have been approached Trials will be conducted where necessary for the formulation to be registered for tea (eg; pre-emergent herbicide Gardoprim, Fipronil (regent) and sulphur products).

14 National MRLs Not established as yet but both national associations were briefed by the consultant on the need to have national MRLs in place. Control of grower activities to ensure Compliance TRFCA Research Committee along with ZTGA Technical Sub- Committee will oversee technical issues TAML and ZTGA Boards and then TRFCA Board to oversee policy issues.