CropLife welcomes appointment of new APVMA Board Chair and CEO

    12 July 2024

    The national peak industry organisation for the plant science sector welcomes the appointment of Dr. Catherine Ainsworth as the new Board Chair and Mr. Scott Hansen as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).

    “CropLife Australia and our members congratulate Dr. Ainsworth and Mr. Hansen on their appointment to these important roles,” said CEO of CropLife Australia, Mr. Matthew Cossey.

    “I commend Minister Watt and the Board of the APVMA for their comprehensive recruitment processes, and their recognition of the importance of finding the best possible candidates.

    “The APVMA requires strong, competent and visionary leadership capable of identifying and implementing the full suite of regulatory responsibilities. This will ensure the Australian community can have complete confidence in this important Regulator and the plant science industry and the national farming sector have an efficient world-leading Regulator to work with.

    “Dr. Ainsworth has significant experience in corporate governance, risk management, regulatory matters, financial management, agriculture and public health. She also has extensive experience in administration and board roles.

    “As former Director General of the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Mr. Hansen has extensive experience in public sector management and a key understanding of the challenges facing Australian farmers. The critical importance of having access to a broad suite of innovative modern products to manage the threats both to farming productivity and protection of our natural environment requires a modern independent and efficient Regulator.

    “Farmers’ use of safe and effective crop protection products directly contributes $31.6 billion to the Australian economy. The present and future economic viability and competitiveness of Australian agriculture relies on continued access to innovative new chemical products and their constituents.

    “The APVMA is one of the world’s leading regulatory science organisations with a dedicated, skilled and expert workforce. This announcement is a crucial marker in the APVMA’s return to operations in a manner that justifies its world-leading reputation.

    Mr. Cossey concluded, “CropLife and our members have full confidence that this will be achieved and look forward to working constructively with Dr. Ainsworth, Mr. Hansen and their teams to implement targeted reforms to see further genuine improvements in order to support a productive and sustainable farming sector.”

     

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