COUNTRYMAN | Chemical regulation needs broader lens to be truly effective

Grain Producers Australia is calling for changes to assessment criteria that guides decisions of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) to consider environmental and financial impacts.

Countryman reported that these calls were being made as growers had faced losing key chemistries such as paraquat, diquat and glyphosate in recent years, without regulations allowing for considerations of impacts on the broader system.

GPA Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said growers worked within a system that meant all of the tools in their toolbox played an important role and if one was removed the system was vulnerable.

"The APVMA hands are tied as its assessment parameters are bound by the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Act 1994," he said.

"The risk of chemical product reviewers being unable to take in the full scope of the system in which they’re used is of great concern when it comes to potential negative impacts on Australia’s economy, biosecurity status and food security."

Read more