7 February 2025
CropLife Australia welcomes the Government’s announcement today of over $13 million in funding to support access to effective and safe agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemicals. This investment demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that Australian farmers have timely access to essential crop protection products.
Matthew Cossey, Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia, the national peak industry organisation for the plant science sector, stated, “We commend Minister Collins and the Government for the one-off $5.2 million funding boost to the APVMA for next financial year.
“This investment provides the Regulator with the resources needed to carry out basic public good functions, such as compliance and enforcement efforts, as well as the weighty chemical review program – something CropLife has long called for.”
The announced funding accompanies a decision by the Government to maintain all existing fees and levies with the exception of annual registration fees while work on a sustainable funding model commences. We also commend the Minister for delaying the official implementation of this cost recovery model until October 2025.
Mr Cossey added, “In rejecting a much higher increase initially proposed by the APVMA, the Minister has set the ground for developing a longer-term sustainable funding model for the Regulator. With increasing demands that the Government has placed on the APVMA to deliver public good outcomes, it is imperative that this model includes permanent government funding.
“This would bring to bring the APMVA into alignment with all other OECD countries and ensure Australian farmers are not disadvantaged compared to their international competitors.”
Alongside this core funding for the APVMA, CropLife welcomes the Government’s $8.1 million commitment to funding a further four years of the Improved Access to Agvet Chemicals program.
Mr Cossey continued, “For 11 years this program has improved farmer access for a range of important crops and essential uses for pesticides. Funding for improved access to minor use chemicals not only supports growers with access to critical pesticides when they really need it, it’s a smart investment for our economy. A 2020 ABARES report estimated that for every grant dollar committed to the program, there is an average return of $117 in improved crop yield and quality.
“CropLife will continue to work constructively with both the Federal Government and the APVMA to develop an efficient, effective, equitable and transparent cost recovery model to ensure our Regulator can continue to do the crucial work it does.
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