National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program

On 25 July 2019 the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) cancelled home garden and domestic registrations containing chlorpyrifos.

The National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program (NRIFAEP) would like to confirm that the permits for fire ant uses containing chlorpyrifos have not been affected by the recent APVMA decision.

However, it should be noted that the continued availability of all remaining treatments with chlorpyrifos (including those permitted under fire ant and other invasive ant permits) are under review by the APVMA with submissions due to them by 22nd September.

Submissions for critical agricultural uses would be considered only in cases where there are no alternatives. The Program and other biosecurity agencies may make a submission for retaining chlorpyrifos as a treatment option for invasive ants but APVMA would take the final decision.

All current NRIFAEP chlorpyrifos permits have at least one other product already approved that could substitute Chlorpyrifos if cancelled.

We will provide any notifications from APVMA about this matter as soon as possible.

National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program

Biosecurity Queensland

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries