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Brazilian government changes rules on agrochemicals imports
The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture has established new technical-administrative procedures for the import of agrochemicals, technical products and related goods. The announcement was made through Normative Instruction No. 26 of the Agricultural Protection Department, published in the Official Union Gazette on July 21.
According to the legislation by the Ministry of Agriculture, the procedure for registration at the Integrated System of Foreign Trade (Siscomex) will be observed.
As per the norm, “For the importation of specified products, the registration of the product at the Ministry of Agriculture is necessary, and the importer must be established at an agency in the state or in the Federal District.
“The imports of agrochemicals, technical products and related goods will be exempted from the previous authorization for importation, before the shipping, but is subject to the consent of the Service/Unit of International Agricultural Surveillance as a representative of the ministry at the time of landing, with analysis and document checking, enforcement and deferment of the license of importation at the Siscomex.”
Brazil bans paraquat
The Brazilian national health surveillance agency, the Anvisa, has ordered a three-year phase-out of the herbicide, paraquat. The agency’s decision came this week after an assessment started in 2008 as part of a 14 pesticide active ingredient reassessment programme. Paraquat is approved as a non-selective herbicide and desiccant on various crops including cotton, maize and soybeans.
The action is being taken due to concerns over risks to human health. It is important to note that the mutagenicity and Parkinson's disease risks arising from the use of the product are restricted to workers handling the product, and not food safety for consumers, the Anvisa says. There is no evidence that the use of paraquat leaves residues in food, it adds.
Immediate restrictive measures for worker safety have also been imposed. Only application by closed cabin tractors will be allowed. Its use on various crops, and as a desiccant is prohibited, as is the sale in containers of less than 5 litres. New rules on user training and labelling will also be enacted.
New scientific evidence that might exclude mutagenic potential in germ cells, and biomonitoring studies that would ensure negligible exposure may lead to a review of the ban within the period of the phase-out.