17 January 2018
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.