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<pre>> Mike
> the chemical permits as reported in the AOA summer 2000 mag as
> an'update' article was not specific in time, advises that any permits
> issued will be temporary & also that the contact officer will be on
> leave for 6 months. My enquiries are that not much apart from soap has
> been permitted. The onus remains on the industry ie growers not
> convenors to push for registration. This can be done thru commercial
> concerns specialised in this area which govt will apparently partially
> fund. One important aspect is nil residue levels at time of harvest.
>
> Roger Farquhar

The last confirmed info I found was that Natursoap (sp?) and white oil were
the only 2 chemicals approved for use on olive trees.

I had a good look around the AOA website and could not find anything related
to permitted chemical use.

I have now heard from 2 totally independent sources that the AOA is acting
on behalf of the olive industry to look into off-label permits for the
industry in general, but I feel the best result will come from independent
growers biting the bullet and applying for a permit themselves, as the
amount of damage being done by pests such as black scale and Olive Lace Bug
is significant, and white oil just isn't up to the job, especially over a
humid summer then the scale is active and the weather is so hot there is a
strong chance of "frying" the tree by covering it in oil. This may be
practical if you can spray at 7.30 at night, but not all of us can do this,
so more effective chemicals are needed.
The chemicals I have in mind are approved for use in other crops in
Australia, and approved for use on olives overseas, so all the tests have
been done, its just the rubber stamp saying "permitted for use on olives in
Australia" that is missing.

I do feel it is the role of the AOA to do something about this, as the
alternatives are lots of illegal and uncontrolled pesticide use, unsprayed
crops with serious disease problems and lower quality produce, or every
individually grower paying something like $40 to get a permit for a limited
use spray. No doubt the NRA in Canberra would be keen on lots of $40
cheques!

Mike Wilson.
</pre>
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<pre>There is nothing on the AOA website about chemicals yet. Dick Taylor from
WA has been chasing them up while Susan Sweeney was on leave and we are
hoping to have more information for the Winter issue of TOP. In the
meantime, if anything comes to hand it will be posted on the website. I
will post a note to this list to let you know when this happens.
Best wishes,
Margaret
At 07:38 AM 4/04/01 +1000, you wrote:


> > Mike
> > the chemical permits as reported in the AOA summer 2000 mag as
> > an'update' article was not specific in time, advises that any permits
> > issued will be temporary & also that the contact officer will be on
> > leave for 6 months. My enquiries are that not much apart from soap has
> > been permitted. The onus remains on the industry ie growers not
> > convenors to push for registration. This can be done thru commercial
> > concerns specialised in this area which govt will apparently partially
> > fund. One important aspect is nil residue levels at time of harvest.
> >
> > Roger Farquhar
>
>The last confirmed info I found was that Natursoap (sp?) and white oil were
>the only 2 chemicals approved for use on olive trees.
>
>I had a good look around the AOA website and could not find anything related
>to permitted chemical use.
>
>I have now heard from 2 totally independent sources that the AOA is acting
>on behalf of the olive industry to look into off-label permits for the
>industry in general, but I feel the best result will come from independent
>growers biting the bullet and applying for a permit themselves, as the
>amount of damage being done by pests such as black scale and Olive Lace Bug
>is significant, and white oil just isn't up to the job, especially over a
>humid summer then the scale is active and the weather is so hot there is a
>strong chance of "frying" the tree by covering it in oil. This may be
>practical if you can spray at 7.30 at night, but not all of us can do this,
>so more effective chemicals are needed.
>The chemicals I have in mind are approved for use in other crops in
>Australia, and approved for use on olives overseas, so all the tests have
>been done, its just the rubber stamp saying "permitted for use on olives in
>Australia" that is missing.
>
>I do feel it is the role of the AOA to do something about this, as the
>alternatives are lots of illegal and uncontrolled pesticide use, unsprayed
>crops with serious disease problems and lower quality produce, or every
>individually grower paying something like $40 to get a permit for a limited
>use spray. No doubt the NRA in Canberra would be keen on lots of $40
>cheques!
>
>Mike Wilson.
>
>
>
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Margaret Chidgey
Chidgey Consulting Pty Ltd
Technical writing and editing for science and industry.
Please note our new email address: chidgey@optusnet.com.au
</pre>
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