Focus Area: Crop Protection

  • From lab to paddock to plate

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    Australian agriculture has a national goal to reach $100 billion by 2030 through increased productivity, market access and diversification.

    It’s an ambitious goal in the face of climate change impacts, resource scarcity and invasive pests and weeds. Australian farming will need new innovations to succeed in this ambitious quest, especially from the plant science sector. Australia’s registration and regulatory systems need to be efficient, science based and independent if the plant science industry’s innovations are able to be accessed and assist Australia’s farmers.

    The organic, synthetic and biological pesticide products and new chemical innovations farmers need to drive productivity, face a longer and proportionately more costly path to market compared to Australia’s major international agricultural competitors such as Canada, the US and South American countries.

    In 2021 a review of the pesticides and veterinary medicines regulatory system in Australia (The Matthews Review) identified many procedural inefficiencies in regulation and registration costs. Unfortunately, rather than address the primary need for better access to new crop protection products by farmers, it proposed duplicated and costly layers of bureaucracy where credible and effective (albeit inefficient) systems already exist.

    The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) currently regulates and evaluates chemicals for risk, based on unique Australian crops, pests and environmental conditions using a science based, independent framework.

    If the major recommendations from the Matthews Review were implemented, an entirely unnecessary chemical re-review system based on the European Union’s (EU) would be established. The EU re-evaluation system is based on arbitrary time frames, not on science or data. If anything, this would only prevent farmers from having access to products that have been safely and responsibly used for years and bury Australia’s regulatory system in unnecessary red tape.

    Australians need world class agricultural practices and innovative crop protection products to ensure productivity, sustainability and profitability of farming now and into the future. Therefore, the answer is not a new regulatory system. The current one is not broken. What we need is well considered, targeted efficiency improvements in the regulatory system and fewer hurdles for investment in the Australian market.

    What we need is well considered, targeted efficiency improvements in the regulatory system and fewer hurdles for investment in the Australian market.

     

    Read the full CropLinks edition.

  • Important agvet improvements to be legislated but farming sector cops an extra unnecessary bill

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    The Senate has today passed the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority Board and Other Improvements) Bill 2019, which will bring about minor but important measures that have been long-awaited by the Australian plant science and farming sectors.

    Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia, the national peak industry organisation for the plant science sector, Mr Matthew Cossey, said, “CropLife Australia welcomes the passing of this Bill which, in its first iteration, passed the House of Representatives in February of 2018 and for which CropLife has long advocated.

    “While the original agvet improvements contained in the Bill are minor, they are nonetheless crucial for the effective and efficient regulation of agricultural chemistry and for Australian farmers to maintain timely access to important crop protection products.

    “It took almost four years though, due to the Federal Government’s rushed and last-minute amendment to its own Bill, their dogged insistence that the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority needs a governance board – despite the APVMA’s previous board being abolished in 2007 after a comprehensive independent review – and their refusal to provide funding for the board.

    “CropLife and our members have been clear that we do not, in principle, oppose properly considered and constructed governance structures, like boards, for regulators, but do oppose unnecessary and ill-conceived initiatives that impose significant costs on the farming sector and supporting industries.

    “The Federal Government has at least included industry suggestions regarding the makeup and structure of the governance board and confirmed government would fund the set-up costs, however, they are only providing the funding for the first two years of operation.

    “It’s staggering that the Minister for Agriculture would introduce a governance board that he knows full well will add costs to the farming sector and not provide ongoing funding, instead shifting those costs onto the farming sector. This regulator is already fully funded through industry fees and levies. If the Federal Government does not commit to fully funding the ongoing operations of the APVMA board it will be the only governance board of a federal regulator that is not government funded, a serious and unfair blow to farmers and the ag industry after already incurring significant APVMA fee and levy increases in 2020, approved by Minister Littleproud.

    “Equally disappointing is the backflip of the Federal Labor Opposition on their long-term public position to not support an ill-considered and unfunded board. They have supported this Bill to pass without securing ongoing funding for the governance board.”

    Mr Cossey concluded, “I call upon both sides of politics to now commit to ongoing full funding arrangements for the APVMA board so it is aligned with all other government regulators and Australia’s farmers are not unfairly penalised.”

  • Gardening at home? Don’t forget your pest control

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    With 2020 and 2021 bringing months of lockdown for many Australians, lots of people have chosen to use the extra time at home to get into the garden, start their own veggie patch and even undertake new landscaping projects.

    While Australia’s farmers have our food security covered for us, exercising your green thumb in the backyard is a great activity. For anyone embarking on this great hobby, it’s very important to practice responsible pest and disease management in order to protect yourself, your future home harvest, and Australian farming.

    This is especially important for home gardeners who are in close proximity to farms, as untreated pests, weeds and diseases can have disastrous impacts if they spread from backyard gardens into major commercial farms. Particular care and attention is required as people return to normal work and aren’t home as often to tend to their backyard veggie patch or fruit trees.

    Most people wouldn’t even think that their backyard veggie patch could possibly cause widescale issue, but pests and diseases are as attracted to produce there as they are to crops on farm. If left unchecked, these pests can pose real and serious threats to major farming operations. Likewise, many common decorative plants can be invasive, allergenic or toxic. Insect pests, weeds and diseases can spread very quickly.

    So that home gardeners don’t inadvertently threaten farms and our nation’s food supply, they should equip themselves with appropriate pest management tools and consult their local garden centre for the best advice on what to use for different produce and how to use those products safely.

    Australia’s agriculture industry has played a huge role in getting all Australians through this pandemic thus far and it’s important we all do our bit to support the great efforts of the nation’s farmers.

    Want to know more about pest, weed and disease control? Our pesticides guide is available here.

  • Chemical crop protection worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in profit to Australian farmers

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    A recent study* conducted by UWA graduate student, Alison Walsh, demonstrates that the use of pesticides generates more profit for producers, reduces labour time, effort and cost, while affording conservation-agriculture techniques which conserve soil and sequester carbon.

    The study highlights what farmer practices have been demonstrating for generations – the use of pesticides generates substantial profit and time savings on Australian farms. These commonly-used products are so important that an average Australian broadacre farm could see annual revenues decline from $458,000 to $197,000 without them.

    One of the herbicides considered in the research, Glyphosate, is an effective and cheap non-selective herbicide often used in combination with other products. Were farmers to lose access to herbicides, like glyphosate, they would be forced to adopt a range of more expensive management tactics and strategies to control weeds. This includes increased labour costs and increased soil-damaging mechanical controls, such as tillage or combustion.

    The idea of banning certain herbicides has gained international headlines through activist organisations peddling dangerous misinformation about the safety of these products they are ideologically opposed to.

    What a sensationalist headline doesn’t portray, though, is the robust science and assessment these products are subject to from independent government regulatory agencies.

    Every independent science-based regulator globally has comprehensively evaluated glyphosate and found it safe to use, providing assurance that these products should remain available to farmers and other pesticide users.

    The UWA study modelled the increase in the price of grain if some crop protection products were to be removed from the global market. Unsurprisingly, a decrease in yield from lack of pesticide options would see grain commodities increase and, as a result, food prices spike. At a time when the world is considering how to produce more for a growing population, anything that further risks food security must be avoided.

    Farmers need access to more – not less – crop protection products to continue their work due to increasing levels of resistance that plant pests and weeds develop. Additional pest management options will maintain the effectiveness and the life of all these crucial farming tools.

    CropLife Australia’s Resistance Management Strategies are developed as part of a commitment to make the most up-to-date resistance management advice freely available for farmers. The strategies are reviewed and updated on an annual basis by scientific technical review
    committees in consultation with relevant national and international experts.

     

    *Economic implications of the loss of glyphosate and paraquat on Australian mixed enterprise farms. Alison Walsh, Ross Kingwell. 2021.

  • Pesticides vital to curb invasive species

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    Australia’s unique natural environment is constantly at risk from invasive weeds and other pests. Like farmers, Australia’s environmental land managers – such as the parks and wildlife services – rely on the use of modern pesticides to best care for our natural environment.

    Invasive weeds, insects and other pests can have major negative impacts on Australia’s natural environment as they damage the diversity and balance of ecosystems. Many native species are becoming increasingly rare or threatened in their native ecosystems as they compete with weeds for space, moisture, nutrients and sunlight.

    In 2020, the Invasive Species Council’s report ‘Glyphosate: A Chemical to Understand’ highlighted that herbicides offer the only effective option for removing invasive weeds from Australia’s bushland reserves and that, without them, most of the remaining indigenous vegetation in Australia would decline in both quantity and quality.* A more recent study by researchers at the CSIRO and Flinders University demonstrated that invasive plants are the priciest pests in Australia, costing $200 billion since 1960.*

    In the Australian Capital Territory alone, there are nearly 5,500 sites where management of invasive species and habitat restoration is underway.* This comprises over 13,000ha of area undergoing protection and enhancement.

    At least 13 different selective and nonselective herbicides and combinations are being used to manage the populations of invasive species and provide weed-free areas for natural species to establish.

    Continued innovation in pesticide products will only serve to aid efforts in preserving and restoring Australia’s natural habitat and manage the spread of invasive species, while improving the ecological footprint and safety of the products used.

    In the heart of the Nation’s Capital, Canberra, lives a microcosm of the fight to protect and restore rare and threatened native species.

    A litany of rare and threatened plant species like Burchardia umbellata (Milkmaids), Calotis lappulacea (Yellow burr daisy) call a hill behind Parliament House home.

    Volunteers from Red Hill Regenerators use a variety of pesticide control options to manage invasive blackberry, St John’s Wort, African lovegrass, Chilean needlegrass and Patterson’s Curse creating safe spaces for the native flora and fauna to thrive.

     

    * Glyphosate: A chemical to understand. Invasive Species Council, 2020. https://invasives.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Glyphosate-A-Chemical-to-Understand.pdf
    * Detailed assessment of the reported economic costs of invasive species in Australia, 2021. Corey J. A. Bradshaw and others. https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.67.58834
    * 2019-20 Invasive Plant Control ACT Public Land | Operations Dashboard for ArcGIS. Viewed 30 September 2021. 2019-20 Invasive Plant Control (arcgis.com)

  • Celebrating the importance of pollinators

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    Australian Pollinator Week starts today, raising awareness of the vital importance of pollinators for agriculture and the environment.

    Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia, the national peak industry organisation for the plant science sector, Mr Matthew Cossey, said, “Most people don’t realise that Australia has a vast array of pollinators including birds, butterflies, bats, beetles, and reptiles. Even those pesky flies interrupting your weekend barbeque are crucial to pollination in our country. It’s essential to remember the wide breadth of pollinators that we’re fortunate to have in Australia and recognise their important contribution to biodiversity and our environment more broadly.”

    Mr Cossey, continued, “Of course, the introduced European honeybee is also crucial for pollinating a range of specific crops and we’re fortunate that Australia is home to one of the healthiest populations of European honey bees in the world. Farmers rely on them as pollinators for many of Australia’s food crops which is why it’s essential we all assist to keep their populations flourishing.

    “CropLife Australia’s Pollinator Protection Initiative is an award‑winning and globally recognised example of what the Australian plant science and agriculture industry is doing to play its part to assist farmers use of necessary crop protection products responsibly and in a manner that minimises risk to pollinators.”

    CropLife’s Pollinator Protection Initiative includes BeeConnected, a smart-phone app to help ensure the safety of bees during normal farming practices and The Seed Treatment Stewardship Strategy, a best management practice guide on the handling and planting of treated seed.

    Mr Cossey continued, “BeeConnected is just one example of the plant science industry’s commitment to protecting the significant role of Australia’s pollinators. The app connects farmers to nearby beekeepers allowing both parties to communicate about farming practices in relation to hives to ensure apiarists bees remain healthy.

    “Our Seed Treatment Stewardship Strategy, developed by Australian industry experts, outlines measures to reduce potential risks from the dust generated during handling and planting of seed and gives guidance to minimise unintended movement of pest and disease management products.

    “Australian Pollinator Week is a great way to raise awareness about pollinators and also check in with agricultural and home gardening practices to ensure we’re not inadvertently harming bees and our other important native pollinators.”

    Mr Cossey concluded, “CropLife and our members are deeply committed to providing the latest stewardship information and techniques to farmers, environmental land managers and beekeepers alike, to protect Australia’s pollinators.”

    Find out more about CropLife’s Pollinator Protection Initiative at stewardshipfirst.com.au

  • World Cotton Day a chance to celebrate a great fibre and amazing biotechnology innovation

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    07 October is World Cotton Day, a celebration of a fibre like no other and an opportunity to show its enduring important impact.

    Cotton is grown in more than 70 countries around the world and in more than 100 regional Australian communities. Although Australia is a relatively small cotton producer on a global scale, it is the world’s third-to-sixth largest exporter depending on the season.

    Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia, the national peak industry organisation for the plant science sector, Mr Matthew Cossey, said of World Cotton Day, “2021 marks 25 years that Australian farmers have benefited from the advantages of growing genetically modified cotton, which has assisted them in adopting more environmentally sustainable and profitable farming practices.

    “Gaining popularity with cotton growers since 1996, cotton with GM traits now makes up more than 99.5 per of all cotton grown in Australia.”

    GM cotton plants are either herbicide-tolerant, resistant to the major caterpillar pest Helicoverpa spp., or both.

    Mr Cossey continued, “The positive impact of GM cotton on the environment and on farming practices has been clearly demonstrated through the Australian cotton industry. GM insect resistant and herbicide tolerant cotton has reduced the need for insecticide sprays by up to 85 per cent compared with conventional cotton which in turn reduces emissions through fewer sprays.

    “The economic gains and savings have been significant with an average increase of on-farm income at $27.87 per hectare and the average reduction in weed control costs at $90.95 per hectare. This has gained Australian cotton famers an additional almost $1.1 billion since 1996.

    “The plant science industry has been a key partner of the Australian cotton industry for decades now and CropLife member companies are continuing to invest millions annually in research and development to find new innovations in areas like cotton production.”

    Other environmental, social and economic benefits of GM cotton include: increased populations of beneficial insects and wildlife in cotton fields, reduced spray drift, improved soil quality, improved opportunities to grow cotton in areas of high pest infestation, reduced production costs, increased yield, reduced risks, decreased labour and fuel usage and improved farm worker and neighbour safety.

    Mr Cossey concluded, “On a global scale, cotton is a commodity grown in over 75 countries across five continents and traded worldwide. Cotton is also a major source of livelihoods and incomes, providing employment and income to many developing countries around the world.

    “The success of GM cotton cultivation in Australia demonstrates the vast potential that production and trade of this valuable commodity can have now and into the future.”

  • Pesticides essential to celebrate International Coffee Day

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    The first of October is International Coffee Day, an occasion to promote and celebrate one of the world’s most loved beverages.

    Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia, the national peak industry organisation for the plant science sector, Mr Matthew Cossey said, “The world consumes around 500 billion cups of coffee each year. While it is not a major crop in Australia, as a commodity, coffee is worth over $100 billion globally.

    “Coffee is one of the most widely traded commodities in international markets and is an agricultural crop of global economic importance. Coffee is grown in 80 countries around the world with 70 per cent being produced by smallholder farmers.

    “However, the large-scale production of coffee beans would not be possible without farmer’s ready access to crop protection products.

    “Without pesticides, coffee crops would suffer yield losses of up to 40 per cent due to devastating diseases such as coffee leaf rust and pests like root nematodes and the coffee borer beetle.

    “It’s the judicious application of crop protection products that assist farmers to successfully produce healthy crops and remain profitable.

    “Farmers around the world are having to adapt to farming in even more challenging climatic conditions. They are constantly faced with pests, weeds and diseases which damage and consume their crops. This means they need access to all farming tools and agricultural innovations to assist them.

    “In addition to continual advances in crop protection products, scientists are using biotechnology innovations to breed new varieties that are resistant to environmental threats, changing weather patterns, increased temperatures, disease and insects.”

    There are more than 100 coffee species in the world but only two are currently commercially viable. Arabica coffee contributes almost 75 per cent of production with the remaining 25 per cent coming from the Robusta species. Of these two species, Arabica coffee is considered a superior beverage but is highly sensitive to pests like fungi, nematodes and insects. Robusta coffee, while lower in quality, is more resistant to pests. It would be desirable to combine these genetic traits, however, to date, traditional plant breeding techniques have been largely unsuccessful.

    Mr Cossey continued, “Agricultural biotechnology research and innovations hold great promise in meeting the types of challenges we see in crops like coffee – and thankfully chemistry is protecting it in the meantime.”

    Mr Cossey concluded, “The plant science industry is committed to improving farming practice so that farmers and farms benefit environmentally, agronomically and economically.

    “As you enjoy a coffee this International Coffee Day, take a moment to recognise all of the hard work and inputs that take coffee from crop to cup.”

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