Shipments of mangoes to Western Australia from the Northern Territory and Queensland could be halted as a result of a proposal to ban the use of a significant pesticide.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has proposed suspending the post-harvest use of dimethoate on mangoes and other produce after finding chemical residue left on fruit. The APVMA received reports of dimethoate residue levels higher than permitted on avocados and mangoes ready for sale, despite finding that the chemical had been applied according to instructions on the label. Currently, the pesticide is the most commonly-used defense against the Queensland fruit fly.
The Australian Mango Industry Association (AMIA) said that if dimethoate was banned post-harvest, WA's strict biosecurity rules would limit the trade.
Source: abc.net.au
