Click here to download the CANEGROWERS diruon submission 

Why the loss of diuron is bad for cane: losses from ineffective weed control can cost a minimum of $100/ha/week depending on the period of competition, weed species & weed pressure (sugar @ $450/tonne) according to BSES Limited in its "BSES Integrated Weed Management Plan 2010" 

 

APVMA suspended diuron which means new use conditions apply until 31 March 2012. These are outlined in the Permit. 1.8 kg ac/ha per year successfully retained. However, a no-spray window applies 5 December to 31 March 2012. CANEGROWERS does not support a period of no use between 5 December 2011 and 31 March 2012 and will continue to lobby APVMA, politicians and government for the rate to be retained and the “window” to be removed. CANEGROWERS will engage a consultant to provide advice on We are currently formulating a hard hitting lobbying campaign on this important issue for the sugarcane industry.  More information will be posted here soon.  Until then we have posted the media release distributed by CANEGROWERS on 26 July 2011

CANEGROWERS will ramp up its ongoing lobbying campaign to retain diuron for use in cane growing after the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) sent notice of a suspension of the important agri-chemical.

The announcement was bitter sweet for cane growers as the APVMA said it would allow continued use of diuron at 1.8 kg per hectare – a win for CANEGROWERS who lobbied for continued use of the important management tool according to best management – however also announced it would put a temporary hold on use of the product from 5 December to 31 March 2012.

“The APVMA are calling this non-use period a ‘window’, but it’s more like a door slamming in the face of growers who use diuron carefully according to good farming practices for good farming outcomes,” says Matt Kealley, CANEGROWERS Environment Manager.

“Diuron is central to farming productivity and the blanket non-use period – without regard to a best practice approach – will cause weeds to get out of hand; and the resulting production losses could be significant.

“Make no mistake, we are not about to stand by and watch this go through to the keeper. This no-use window will cause signifi cant losses to growers across Australia.”

CANEGROWERS will be teaming up with farmers from across Australia to fi ght this head-on, taking the message to government and the APVMA that they must look at the science and reverse the inflexible position on windows. CANEGROWERS say that they will work with APVMA on a more considered approach, with the aim of achieving better outcomes for growers and their local communities.

 

ARCHIVE: Proposed suspension of diuron a major blow for the sugarcane industry

The proposed suspension of key agricultural chemical diuron would be yet another major hit for the sugarcane industry still recovering from one of the worst seasons in history, says CANEGROWERS CEO Steve Greenwood today.

CANEGROWERS has received notice by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) that they propose to suspend use of the chemical.

An effective herbicide, diuron is manufactured by a number of companies, making it what is known as a generic product. Herbicides, in combination with reduced cultivation and the move away from mechanical weed control, have played a substantial role in the sustainability and profitability of the sugar industry.

The proposed suspension is yet another hit for cane growers, who have suffered through one of the worst years on record and a number of natural disasters.
“On the face of the APVMA announcement, it looks as though diuron will effectively be banned by 12 August,” says CANEGROWERS CEO Steve Greenwood.

“For growers to potentially lose this effective tool from their toolbox, which currently has no equivalent replacement, is a tough blow.

“Growers have reduced their usage rates of diuron and other herbicides over the past decade and have also voluntarily reduced their diuron rate to 1.8 kg active constituent per hectare, from the maximum label rate of 3.6 kg per hectare.

“In addition, sugarcane growers continue to be enthusiastic participants in the federal government’s Reef Rescue initiative and are legally obliged to follow the state government’s strict regulatory program – both initiatives focus on reducing chemical use and improving water quality. The Reef Rescue program alone has reduced herbicides by 25%. None of this prior work by growers has been taken into consideration in the making of this decision,” he says.

“CANEGROWERS is extremely concerned by the process of the review conducted by the APVMA, and perverse outcomes for the environment and the industry from this decision.”

CANEGROWERS has spoken at length with the APVMA about the process and potential outcomes. The proposed suspension would prohibit the sale and use of diuron in any product or form within Australia, regardless of label conditions at the time of purchase which means existing stocks cannot be used.

“This is simply not acceptable, particularly when the industry has been given limited opportunity to analyse the review and comment,” says Greenwood.

CANEGROWERS has written to the federal Minister for Agriculture, Joe Ludwig, outlining its concerns about the latest review.