Tasmanian farmers today welcomed federal legislation that will remove unnecessary red tape concerning the use of agricultural and veterinary chemicals.

The legislation is part of a suite that the federal government has introduced as part of its Repeal Day program on Wednesday to rid the statute books of more than 10,000 pieces of legislation and regulations that Prime Minister Tony Abbott describes as the “dead weight” on Australian businesses, community groups and households.

The government estimates the cuts will save the national economy more than $700 million a year, with the changes to agricultural chemical regulations alone saving farmers $1.3 million.

Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association chief executive Jan Davis said farmers had been pressing for reform of agricultural and veterinary chemical regulations at state and federal level for years.

“We are not suggesting open slather for spraying and other chemical applications,” Ms Davis said.

“We advocate the safe use of chemicals to protect crops and medicines for farm animals, but there should not be a regulatory regime under which, for instance, the same products have to be re-registered year after year.

“The federal reforms remove unnecessary and costly regulation but don’t diminish Australia’s high safety standards for agricultural chemicals.

“The immediate effect of the reforms for farmers is that it should contain cost increases for the chemicals because the manufacturers do not have to meet repetitive registrations and unnecessary compliances,” she said.

“Australia has a chemicals regime that is built on science. It maintains our reputation as clean and green food producers.

Ms Davis said the Repeal Day reforms would improve scrutiny of chemicals on the market without having to process thousands of unnecessary pieces of paper each year.

“We want to see reciprocal action in Tasmania,” she said.

Tasmanian farmers would continue to work with the federal and state governments and the crop protection industry to implement the reforms.
Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association chief executive Jan Davis