Summary
Ecolabels are widely recognised in Europe and they can be used to enhance the clean green image of Australian wool. One of the ecolabels, the EC Eco-label for Textiles, requires the use of low residue wool that must be processed using good environmental practices. The requirements are strict but readily achievable. It will provide a mechanism for recognition of low residue Australia wools in the market place.

There are potentially so many different ecolabels that consumers have difficulty understanding what they each represent. It is important that the mainstream labels attain sufficient market share to be recognised by consumers. The EC Eco-label is applicable to a wide range of products from computers to varnishes to paper products. Its symbol will therefore be widely recognised in all EU countries and on a range of product types.

The EC Eco-label for Textiles examines the overall environmental impact of producing a garment. It sets pesticide residue limits for raw wool of 0.5 mg/kg organochlorines, 2 mg/kg organophosphates and 3 mg/kg synthetic pyrethroids, however there are special provisions where wool growing groups with QA systems may be able to make declarations that they have not used specific chemical on their animals or land.

There is equal emphasis on certifying a clean production pipeline. There are limits on effluent discharges from scouring, shrinkproofing and dyeing. All processing agents (detergents, lubricants and sizes) must be biodegradable. Tests are also required to ensure that the garments are washable and colourfast, so that the final product will be durable.

A supply chain approach from farm to market is needed. CSIRO Textile and Fibre Technology is upgrading its small scale processing facilities and is compiling a list of Australian processors who can meet the requirements of the EC Eco-label for Textiles to ensure that as much processing as possible is conducted on-shore.

Summary
The wool industry has an annual survey for pesticide residues on fleece wool. Both organophosphate (OP) and Synthetic pyrethroid (SP) residues on the national clip are steadily declining, with mean residues for each class of pesticide now less than 2 mg/kg greasy wool. Cyromazine residues have fluctuated in a band from 5-9 mg/kg greasy wool, depending on seasonal conditions and susceptibility to flystrike. Dicyclanil residues are very low, with mean residues of about 0.1 mg/kg. Diflubenzuron and triflumuron residues have increased over the last four years, with mean residues on fleece wool during the 2000/01 survey year of 5.6 and 8.1 mg/kg greasy wool respectively.

A spot survey of lambs wool during 1999/00 found that SP and triflumuron residues were much lower than in fleece wool, diflubenzuron residues were slightly lower, and OP and cyromazine residues were about double those in fleece wool. This reflects known treatment patterns, with a lower proportion of lambs treated for lice but greater susceptibility of young sheep to flystrike.

A spot survey of pieces wool during 2000/01 has that found all classes of residues are lower in pieces wool than in fleece wool. This is especially so for SPs, diflubenzuron and triflumuron, and presumably reflects pesticide dispersion with products applied along the back more concentrated in the fleece than in pieces wool.
 
 

Summary
The national wool residue monitoring survey conducted by Australian Wool Innovations provides useful information on residue levels in the Australian clip and provides an insight into trends in chemical use by farmers. Currently results are not passed onto growers but a proposal is suggested to involve wool brokers in notifying growers of nil results. This may be relatively easy to organise and may help increase awareness and understanding of brokers about wool residues.
 
 

Summary
This paper presents a brief outline of the NRA’s chemical review program, the rationale for decisions to conduct reviews, and a brief outline and update of current reviews affecting sheep ectoparasiticide products.
 
 

Summary

The Australian National Registration Authority environmental assessment process for sheep ectoparasiticides makes certain assumptions about the behaviour of these chemicals in wool scours and in sewage treatment processes. This report describes two studies that validate these assumptions.

The first study provides a pesticide and wool wax mass balance where all ectoparasiticides entering and leaving a commercial wool scouring plant were monitored over 1 week of operation. Diazinon and cypermethrin were the main ectoparasiticides found in the commercial wools processed. To evaluate the performance of diflubenzuron, wools specifically treated with that pesticide from farm trials were included. Pesticides leaving the scour in the scouring waste liquors were tracked through a sewerage system and measured at entry and exit from a municipal sewage treatment plant.

In a second study pesticides entering the scour over a 1 week period were measured, and compared with the amount found at entry and exit from the sewage plant.

The potential environmental impact from discharge of the treated effluent at an ocean outfall is briefly assessed.
 
 

Note: The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the National Registration Authority for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals.

Summary
Growing concern about the residue implications of sheep ectoparasiticides as well the occupational hazards of using organophosphate sheep dips, poses a challenge to regulators such as the National Registration Authority for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (NRA). Additional data requirements and restrictions imposed on the use of sheep ectoparasiticides, in order to meet contemporary OH&S, environmental and trade requirements, could restrict the range of products available to control lice and flies. This has implications for animal welfare and resistance management. With cooperation from all sectors of the Wool Industry, it may be possible to integrate "best practice" chemicals use and residues management with regulation and still maintain desirable pest management options. However, the proposed approach will impose significant responsibilities on all sectors of the Wool Industry. This innovative approach, together with the benefits likely to result from its implementation, is discussed.
 
 

Summary
A blending method has been previously proposed to estimate maximum acceptable residue concentrations in wool sale lots to meet specified wool processing lot requirements. This report uses the method to provide revised estimates for sale lot maximum residues based on current (to March 2001) survey data.

This report also describes a Withholding/Blending method for determining wool harvesting intervals from processing lot targets in a single step. We have used this approach to estimate wool harvesting intervals, based on current information, to meet suggested UK and Australian environmental and marketing requirements. When residue targets are formally defined this may be a useful tool to determine wool harvesting intervals and to help wool producers and their advisers decide which products to use at particular times of the wool growing season.

The sale lot maximum residues and wool harvesting intervals reported here are more lenient than those suggested previously.

Return to main program page