A more efficient agvet chemical regulator

• Agricultural and Veterinary amendments have passed Parliament
• Bill streamlines the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority and establishes a new governance board

New laws passed in Parliament will improve the efficiency of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) and speed up the process to access chemical products.

Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said agricultural chemicals and veterinary medicines are critical to Australian agriculture.

“Agvet chemicals protect our crops, our livestock and our pets. They help

protect the environment by keeping invasive weeds and pests at bay,” Minister Littleproud said.

“The APVMA has an important role to make sure agvet chemicals are safe and don’t impact our market access.

“This means that the APVMA needs to be efficient and effective and we need to give them the legislative tools to achieve that.

“This Bill aims to streamline regulation for the APVMA, encourage the registration of more minor uses and strengthen protections to the community – all while improving governance.

“The APVMA needs to have flexibility in the way they operate. Some simple, practical changes will mean the APVMA runs more efficiently, will reduce some costs, and will mean that farmers can access safe and effective chemicals quickly.

“The Bill also means a new APVMA Board, will be established to guarantee the performance and accountability of the APVMA.

“I couldn’t be prouder to be part of a government that has delivered these important improvements and efficiencies for farmers.”

Fast Facts:

• Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority Board and Other Improvements) Bill 2019 passed the Parliament on 1st December.
• The Australian government has committed to paying for the establishment costs for the board and paying for the initial two years of operation.
• Key features in the Bill included:
  • establishing a governance Board for the APVMA 
  • enabling simpler regulatory processes for chemicals of low regulatory concern, 
  • providing for extensions to limitation periods and protection periods as an incentive for chemical companies to register certain new uses of chemical products; and
  • puts in place additional penalties and information requirements aimed at improving the integrity of the system for users and the community.