Peak horticulture organisation Growcom today welcomed the successful passage of new agricultural chemicals legislation through the Senate.
The Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Removing Re-approval and Re-registration) Bill 2014 would reduce costs through reduced red tape and potentially see growers achieve improved access to chemicals vital to agricultural production, Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association chief executive Jan Davis said today.
“The central issue is that the new legislation has dropped the mandatory re-registration component for all chemicals,” said Ms Davis.
“This would have bogged down the agricultural chemicals industry and the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) in an unnecessary, extensive and expensive review process.
“While the cost of the review process would have largely been borne by the chemical companies who had to provide the data for re-registration, these costs would have been passed on to the farmer in the form of increased costs for mainstream agricultural chemical products.
“The costs involved in this process would have acted as a major disincentive for chemical companies supplying chemicals into the small Australian market.
“The APVMA did not have adequate resources to process reviews of all chemicals in a timely manner. These revisions will also lessen the workload of the APVMA and free up resources to undertake more appropriate tasks.
“The legislation potentially means improved access to new softer and more environmentally friendly chemistry since the chemical companies do not have to use unnecessary resources in reviewing existing products and may use that money in the development of improved products.
“TFGA welcomes the fact that the Federal Government recognised the costs and difficulties and drafted amendments to the Bill which have now been passed by the Senate.”
TFGA chief executive Jan Davis
