15 November 2017
15 NOVEMBER 2017 (Canberra) – CropLife Australia welcomes today’s announcement of the appointment of Dr Chris Parker as Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
Mr Matthew Cossey, Chief Executive Officer of the plant science sector’s national peak industry organisation, CropLife Australia, said the appointment of a permanent CEO of the APVMA during this challenging time is critically important to the plant science industry and the Australian agricultural sector more broadly.
“Dr Parker comes to this role with the skills and experience that should ensure the APVMA operates at a standard expected by industry, the agricultural sector and the Australian community,” said Mr Cossey.
“The permanent appointment to this role is crucial to ensuring an efficient agricultural chemical regulator which improves its performance significantly while managing the many challenges ahead. An efficient, independent, scientifically competent and evidence-based regulator is critical to ensuring farmers have access to crucial agricultural innovations and tools. The community must be able to have full confidence in Australia’s regulation of these essential products.”
“Meeting its legislated timeframes through improving operational efficiency and bringing cost overruns under control are key priorities for the APVMA.”
“We look forward to working constructively with Dr Parker to deliver much-needed performance improvements that will provide Australian farmers with the critical tools they need to sustainably, safely and internationally competitively produce more food, feed and fibre,” concluded Mr Cossey.