Focus Area: Crop Protection

• APVMA’s Performance Steady: Continued Improvement Needed

  July 24, 2018 5:18 pm Comments Off on APVMA’s Performance Steady: Continued Improvement Needed

  The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) 2018 June quarter performance statistics, released today, show that crop protection product assessment and registration timeframe performance has now stabilised for the last three quarters.

  Mr Matthew Cossey, Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia, said “it is reassuring that the APVMA’s performance, specifically for crop protection product registrations, has recovered from its all-time low at 24 per cent in the June quarter last year to 77 per cent in this quarter. While it is pleasing there has been a stabilisation in the last three quarters, performance seems to have plateaued at a level which is still well below its statutory timeframes.”

  “It is disappointing that timeframe performance for crop protection products continues to hold back the APVMA’s overall performance statistics and we continue to support the Regulator in seeking the overdue and much needed structural regulatory and legislative improvements that will allow the Regulator to continue to improve its operational efficiency,” said Mr Cossey.

  “Timeframe performance for critical new and innovative product applications that will significantly drive Australian agricultural productivity has improved slightly to 47 per cent completed within timeframe, compared with just 38 per cent in the March quarter. The Regulator’s continued inability to finalise the more complex agricultural chemical applications within timeframe denies Australian farmers access to new and innovative products that the plant science industry provides, further limiting farmers’ ability to improve productivity and compete internationally.”

  “The recently announced retention of a Canberra-based APVMA office may curb the further loss of experienced regulatory scientists and other key staff from the Regulator. It’s critical that no further disruption as a result of relocation occurs, and with the Regulator keeping a Canberra office we are hopeful that this will mitigate further disruption when the Regulator undertakes its substantial relocation to Armidale.”

  “The APVMA has over the last 12 months introduced a range of measures to improve its operational performance, for which it should be commended. It is now beyond time that the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources delivers targeted, industry supported reforms that will free the APVMA from unnecessary and out-dated regulatory processes and maintain the integrity of the regulatory system, to help the Regulator fully meet its statutory timeframe obligations,” said Mr Cossey.

  “The assessment and registration of crop protection products is the substantive component of the APVMA’s work and timeliness is crucial to ensuring Australian farmers have access to important agricultural tools.”

  “CropLife Australia looks forward to the APVMA’s performance continuing to improve in all areas and will continue to work with the APVMA and the Government to help deliver the necessary reforms that will improve the Regulator’s efficiency,” concluded Mr Cossey.

• Crucial up-to-date advice for farmers on resistance management best practice now available online

  July 13, 2018 10:44 am Comments Off on Crucial up-to-date advice for farmers on resistance management best practice now available online

  CropLife Australia’s new and updated official 2018 Resistance Management Strategies for fungicides, herbicides and insecticides have today been formally published and released. They are now also available online to help farmers and other land managers sustainably control the pests, weeds and insects that are a constant threat to Australia’s food, feed and fibre production and our precious natural environment. It is vital for the long‑term sustainability and viability of crop protection products that farmers, environmental land managers and other agricultural chemical users adopt up‑to‑date best practice advice on managing crop protection product resistance.

  Matthew Cossey, Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia said, “If left uncontrolled, weeds, destructive insects and fungi, can pose significant agricultural and economic challenges for farmers, including the devastation of pre- and post‑ harvested crops. It is essential that farmers adopt agricultural practices that control pests, while reducing their environmental impact and limiting the pests’ ability to become resistant.”

  “This makes the adoption of an Integrated Pest Management system and an effective resistance management strategy for chemical crop protection products crucial to the long‑term viability and profitability of Australian farming.”

  “Access to the most up‑to‑date and accurate advice on how to use crop protection products responsibly and sustainably is critical for farmers. Available online using CropLife’s web‑based search tool, farmers can quickly search and locate the relevant world’s best‑practice strategies to provide crucial and timely advice on managing pests, weeds and disease in crops.”

  “The official Resistance Management Strategies are developed by our scientific technical review committees based on their expert knowledge and latest data on the use of fungicides, herbicides and insecticides, as well as in consultation with relevant national and international experts. These strategies help ensure important agricultural chemicals that help farmers produce the food, feed and fibre needed for the world’s growing population are managed in a sustainable and safe way,” said Mr Cossey.

  “The plant science industry conducts ongoing research to better understand resistance risks, implements intensive monitoring programs, and proactively develops strategies to avoid resistance, even before farmers experience issues. This commitment to proactive stewardship helps ensure that today’s Resistance Management Strategies are effective.”

  “Making best‑practice resistance management advice freely available is part of the commitment of CropLife Australia and its members to world‑leading industry stewardship initiatives. These stewardship initiatives are a significant contribution to ensuring the ongoing sustainability of crucial crop protection products and Australia’s farming sector.”

  “CropLife’s easy-to-access strategies equip farmers with methods to ensure they maintain the effectiveness and extend the life of crucial farming tools. Following CropLife’s Resistance Management Strategies can help farmers prevent loss of future crops, income and damage to their land,” Mr Cossey concluded.

  The 2018 Resistance Management Strategies are available at www.croplife.org.au

• APVMA’s performance steady, highlights need to focus on critical innovative products

  April 30, 2018 6:11 pm Comments Off on APVMA’s performance steady, highlights need to focus on critical innovative products

  The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) 2018 March quarter performance statistics, released today, show a small improvement in crop protection product assessment and registration timeframe performance from last quarter. Timeframe performance for new and innovative products has, however, dropped further.

  Matthew Cossey, Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia, said the APVMA’s performance improvement in crop protection product registrations of 76 percent of assessments completed on time, up slightly from 72 percent reported in the previous (December 2017) quarter is welcomed.

  “The timeliness of crop protection product registrations, as well as the overall performance of the regulator, is improving in challenging circumstances under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer Dr Chris Parker and we continue to support the regulator in seeking improvements,” said Mr Cossey.

  “Timeframe performance for new and innovative product applications that will significantly drive Australian agricultural productivity have, however, dropped further with just 38 per cent completed within timeframe. This is down from the sub-par 49 per cent completed within timeframe in the 2017 December quarter.”

  “The regulator’s worsening capability to finalise the more complex agricultural chemical applications within timeframe denies Australian farmers access to new and innovative products that the plant science industry provides, further limiting farmers ability to improve productivity and compete internationally.”

  “CropLife sought the urgent implementation of 17 regulatory reform proposals in July 2017 to address the expected significant resource and capability losses of experienced regulatory scientists by the APVMA during its transition to Armidale. It appears the consequences of these losses are now being realised, and yet the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources continues to drag its feet with the urgent regulatory reform needed to ensure Australian farmers continue to have access to innovative agricultural chemical products.”

  “It is now beyond time that the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources delivers targeted reforms that will free the APVMA from unnecessary and out-dated regulatory processes, helping the regulator to fully meet their statutory obligation of finalising 100% of application types within the legislated timeframe,” said Mr Cossey.

  “The assessment and registration of crop protection products is the substantive component of the APVMA’s work and timeliness is crucial to ensuring Australian farmers have access to important agricultural tools.”

  “CropLife Australia looks forward to the APVMA’s performance continuing to improve in all areas and will continue to work with the APVMA and the Government to help deliver the necessary reforms that will improve the regulator’s efficiency,” concluded Mr Cossey.

• Australian Grocery Trolleys Would Be All But Empty Without Plant Science Innovation

  April 3, 2018 8:00 am Comments Off on Australian Grocery Trolleys Would Be All But Empty Without Plant Science Innovation

  A new report by Deloitte Access Economics released today has revealed that the Australian production of crops such as grapes, hops, carrots, peanuts, and onions, would not be commercially viable without the safe and sustainable use of chemical crop protection products. The use of crop protection products directly enables $20.6 billion to Australian farming output annually, providing a significant boost to agriculture as it powers towards being Australia’s next $100 billion industry.

  Mr Matthew Cossey, Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia, said “this latest report establishes the most up-to-date data on the agricultural and economic contribution of the plant science industry. These innovations of the plant science industry are a crucial component driving growth in the farming sector and highlight that agtech is essential for agriculture if it is to become Australia’s next $100 billion industry. The agricultural and economic impact of the industries that support the Australian farming sector should not be taken for granted and need to be fostered and encouraged.”

  “The report, which updates the 2013 data, shows that 73 per cent of the $28.2 billion of total Australian crop production, is attributable to the use of crop protection products. Imagine if more than two-thirds of the crops Australian farmers currently produce were lost every year. Our supermarket trolleys would be nearly empty and access to fresh produce would be very limited.”

  “Farmers here and around the world face very significant and increasing challenges as they seek to produce more nutritious, safe, disease-free and affordable food, feed and fibre for the world’s growing population. We can’t simply double our arable land and produce more water. Farmer access to technology and innovation is crucial for the growth in agriculture and its sustainability.”

  “Whether it’s new synthetic chemical, old organic chemical, or the latest biological based pesticides, farmers need to be able to make use of all approved, safe and globally available innovative tools to protect their crops. Australia is fortunate to have an increasingly productive and internationally competitive agricultural sector. This is a result of a major effort by our nation’s farmers with the support of the innovation of crucial supporting sectors, such as the plant science industry.”

  “The report also highlights the additional contributions the crop protection industry makes to the Australian economy in areas of employment, manufacturing, transport, and trade. The report reveals the industry creates 9,225 full-time equivalent jobs across Australia.”

  “This report complements and reinforces other international studies that prove that crop protection products directly improve the cost of living for consumers. A study conducted in the United States of America (USA) by economist Mark Goodwin indicated that crop protection products provide a 47.9% saving on grocery bills for a family of four in the USA. This is also reflected in the Australian context.”

  “It is the dead-hand of unnecessary government regulation that will inhibit our farming sector from meeting its full potential and it’s time for a renaissance of regulation to unshackle agtech innovation so that its full potential can be realised. For the sake of our farmers, our food supply, the family budget and our national economy, it is vital that Australian farmers have access to the most up-to-date, sustainable and innovative crop protection products, the importance of which are only reinforced by this significant report,” concluded Mr Cossey.

  The report can be downloaded at www.croplife.org.au

• Economic activity attributable to crop protection products – Deloitte Access Economic Report 2018

  6:26 am Comments Off on Economic activity attributable to crop protection products – Deloitte Access Economic Report 2018

  A new report by Deloitte Access Economics, which updates the 2013 data, reveals that the Australian production of crops such as grapes, hops, carrots, peanuts, and onions, would not be commercially viable without the safe and sustainable use of chemical crop protection products.

• Relocation leads to reform for APVMA as KPIs improve, appeasing industry

  January 23, 2018 11:38 pm Comments Off on Relocation leads to reform for APVMA as KPIs improve, appeasing industry

  The Turnbull government’s plans to stimulate regional economies by moving federal agencies out of metropolitan areas got a slight boost this week, with indications that a slump in the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority’s performance has begun to turn around.

  CropLife Australia chief Matthew Cossey was pleased to see on-time assessments of various pesticides and herbicides jump from 36% in the September quarter to 72% in the latest figures. […]

  Read the whole story at www.themandarin.com.au

• APVMA’s Improved Performance Welcomed

  January 17, 2018 5:29 am Comments Off on APVMA’s Improved Performance Welcomed

  The improvement in performance shown in the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) performance statistics for the 2017 December quarter, released today, is welcomed by the plant science industry as it will be by Australian farmers who also stand to benefit from improved crop protection product assessment and registration timeframe performance.

  Matthew Cossey, Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia, said the APVMA’s performance improvement in crop protection product registrations of 72 per cent of assessments completed on time, up from 36 per cent reported in the previous (September 2017) quarter is commendable.

  “In challenging circumstances, the APVMA, under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer Dr Chris Parker, has improved the timeliness of crop protection product registrations as well as the overall performance of the regulator. Although it is too early to tell if this performance is sustainable and ongoing, particularly during the physical relocation to Armidale, this level of improvement is certainly commended by the plant science industry,” said Mr Cossey.

  “More than six years ago CropLife highlighted that practical operational and management changes were required and it is encouraging to see the APVMA’s renewed focus on process and procedure has been effective in reversing the recent downward trend in performance.”

  “The assessment and registration of crop protection products is the substantive component of the APVMA’s work and timeliness is crucial to ensuring Australian farmers have access to important agricultural tools.”

  “CropLife expects that overall performance improvements will soon incorporate new and innovative applications that require major assessment (49% completed within timeframe), as it is these innovations that will deliver significant improvements in Australian agricultural productivity.”

  “It is now more important than ever that the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources deliver targeted reforms that will free the APVMA from unnecessary and out-dated regulatory processes, helping the regulator to fully meet their statutory obligation of finalising 100% of application types within timeframe,” said Mr Cossey.

  “CropLife Australia looks forward to the APVMA’s performance continuing to improve and will continue to work with the APVMA and the Government to help deliver the necessary reforms that will improve the regulator’s efficiency,” concluded Mr Cossey.

• Representing the best of the plant science industry

  November 22, 2017 4:03 am Comments Off on Representing the best of the plant science industry

• CropLife Australia Policy Statement of APVMA Efficacy Assessments

  November 19, 2017 11:37 pm Comments Off on CropLife Australia Policy Statement of APVMA Efficacy Assessments

• 2. Data Protection

  October 23, 2017 3:04 am Comments Off on 2. Data Protection

  Companies seeking to register a new crop protection product for use in Australia must provide the results of extensive research to the independent regulator, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), demonstrating the product is safe for people and the environment when used according to label instructions, and that it doesn’t present any unacceptable risks to export markets.

  The research required to generate data for the registration process is expensive, with overall costs to research, develop and register just one new product reaching up to $256 million. Companies recoup this research investment through sales of the product once it is registered, thereby providing the funds for the next product to be researched and developed.

  Data protection is a means of protecting the research data submitted by companies during the registration process from unfair commercial use by competitors. It enables registrants of new technologies the opportunity to recoup their investment by preventing competitors from using submitted data for a defined period of time.
  The World Trade Organisation (WTO) requires companies’ regulatory data be protected under its Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.

  Data protection is standard practice in countries that have comparable regulatory systems to Australia.

  Australia’s current data protection system remains inadequate and, combined with an inefficient registration process, provides little incentive for companies to bring innovative new products to our nation’s farmers.

  Improvements to Australia’s data protection were expected as part of the National Harmonisation project, but these have not yet been delivered.

  Detailed information on CropLife’s proposed improvements to data protection is provided in our Submission on Data Protection.

  Information on data protection provided in Australia is available from the APVMA’s Data Protection, Early Disclosure and Transparency Provisions page.