CropLife Australia welcomes the comments made today by Minister Tony Burke that the APVMA requires fundamental reform.

This announcement demonstrates that Minister Burke has heard the concerns expressed by CropLife Australia's members and many other participants in the agricultural sector. 

During most of 2009, we conveyed to the Minister and his department our concerns that Australian farmers were missing out on timely access to the innovative tools they need to protect Australia's food security, sustainably manage the many demands on Australia's limited arable land and stay internationally competitive. Those tools are new crops, new pesticides and new uses for existing pesticides.

Problems at the APVMA have directly contributed to considerable delays in getting new and innovative products registered so that Australian farmers can access them.  In some cases, these delays have extended to several years.  Unfortunately, some innovators have decided not to bring new products to Australia at all because it is a very small market (around 2% of the global market) and the APVMA's delays and inequitable fee structure are too great a disincentive.

CropLife Australia has recommended to a current review of all Agvet chemicals regulation, that a new approach is needed that requires the APVMA to get back to its core business (registering chemicals), and that a new entity be responsible for ensuring farm chemicals are used responsibly and sustainably.

Minister Burke has given CropLife a good hearing on this proposal and we look forward to working with him to create a new regulatory system for Agvet chemicals that is based on sound science, is equitable and promotes responsible use.

Contact:

Bernard Meadley,

Acting Chief Executive Officer,

CropLife Australia Limited

Ph: 02 6230 6399

Mobile: 0419 436 331

 CropLife welcomes comments that APVMA requires drastic changes.pdf