Desiccants Can Create Marketing Risk
SASKATOON - Jul 26/13 - SNS -- Farmers around the world often spray herbicides on crops that require 'drying down' to create uniformity of plant material at harvest as well as to kill weeds before the harvest begins.
When used in this way, they are called desiccants. In Canada, these products include diquat (Reglone), glyphosate (Roundup), saflufenacil (HEAT), and glufosinate (MPOWER Good HARVEST). However, there are markets risks associated with the use of these products.
"(G)rowers must ensure that the product residue remains below MRLs (minimum residue limits) set by regulatory agencies (in importing countries), in order to avoid problems with selling their crops," the Manitoba Pulse Growers, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, and Alberta Pulse Grower said in a joint advisory to farmers.
There are a two simple steps farmers can follow to make sure product residues remain at trace levels or levels well below accepted maximums.
First, do not exceed the products labelled rate. Regulations for individual pesticides are set to allow growers to use the product without fear of breaching domestic MRLs. However, these guidelines assume that the labelled rate is not exceeded. If you exceed that rate, you risk breaching the MRL and this can have serious consequences in terms of both domestic pesticide laws, and international acceptance of the crop.
Second, time the application according to the label. Labels are very specific in terms of crop staging. If you apply a desiccant before or after the recommended crop stage, you run the risk that levels will exceed legal limits.
Even so, it is important for growers to make sure their buyers know which desiccant was used and the application rate. There are marketing issues for three of the four classes of desiccants used. As a result, it is equally important for exporters and importers to be aware of any potential issues with the individual chemicals.
No Issues With Glyphosate
Following these steps does not guarantee there will not be problems with residues. The only desiccant which does not affect the marketability of peas, lentils and chickpeas if used correctly is glyphosate. The only crop with potential issues are beans destined for Japan. "Although there is an MRL set for the use of glyphosate on beans in Japan, the MRL level is set at a low level of 2 parts per million (ppm) for this crop in this market," the associations said.
Because the international Codex set MRLs for glyphosate earlier this year, there are no longer marketing issues associated with glyphosate residues for peas, lentils, and beans shipped to countries such as India and Pakistan.
In the European Union and United States, MRLs are established and there are no marketing issues associated with glyphosate residues for peas, lentils, chickpeas, and beans.
Diquat May Be Problem on U.S. Cargo
The United States is the only destination where there could be potential problems with Diquat used on peas, lentils, chickpeas and/or beans.
"Although Canada and the U.S. are working to harmonize MRLs in pulses, the diquat MRL has not been harmonized between the two countries. Consult with your exporter/processor before using product," the associations said.
No European MRL For Saflufenacil
The only region which has not yet set an MRL for saflufenacil is the European Union.
"There is no MRL set that would allow for preharvest use on pulses. In cases where the crop is destined for the EU, growers and exporters should confer prior to using the product in order to avoid marketing problems in the EU. (This applies to the preharvest use pattern only.)," the provincial pulse grower associations warned.
Glufosinate Not Yet Safe
At this time, lentils are the only pulse crop for which the product is registered for use in any region.
However, only Japan and the European Union have MRLs for glufosinate. The implication is that it should not be used on lentils destined for the United States, India, Pakistan and several other countries. Similarly, it should not be used on peas, chickpeas or edible beans.
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