Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority allows limited use of pesticide fenthion to combat fruit fly THE Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority has lifted a suspension on the pesticide fenthion, allowing its "very restricted use" on peaches and apricots. The pesticide, used to control fruit fly, was temporarily banned from use on these crops earlier this month after industry data suggested fruits sprayed with fenthion would have residue levels that made them unsafe for eating. But further investigation by the APVMA, at the request of an unnamed industry organisation, found that a single spray of fenthion left safe levels of residue on peaches and apricots after 21 days, prompting the authority to issue an interim permit for its limited use. The permit allows growers to apply fenthion once this season and states they must leave a 21-day gap between spraying and harvesting. The permit will apply until April 30, 2014, and residue levels will be monitored independently throughout the growing season. "If residue levels are found to be above what is considered safe, the APVMA will take immediate action which may include cancellation of the permit," executive director Dr Raj Bhula said. Issuing this restricted permit does not change the current suspension instructions or permits already in place for other uses of fenthion. The APVMA is conducting a review of fenthion, looking at its safety for consumption, the residues it leaves in food, worker safety and its impact on the environment. The review is expected to finished midway through next year. Fenthion is still able to be used on a range of other fruits and vegetables, subject to restrictions and under permit, until the review is done. At toxic levels, fenthion interferes with the human nervous system.