Federal Government Commended for Delivering Crucial APVMA Funding in Budget

CropLife Australia, as the national peak industry organisation for the plant science sector, welcomes the release of the Albanese Government’s 5^th Budget and with it the announcement of an $8.7 million funding package for the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) in FY26-27. The funding is earmarked to bolster the Authority’s capacity to deliver its good public activities in support of the tens of millions of dollars that industry already provides and comes at a critical time to support an important regulator for the nation’s farming sector.

Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia, Matthew Cossey, said, “We have long advocated for this support and welcome the Government’s recognition of the importance of investing in the public-good work of APVMA in line with all other regulators.

I specifically commend Minister Julie Collins and Assistant Minister Anthony Chisholm for their commitment, leadership and hard work in trying to improve the performance of the APVMA. It’s now on the APVMA Board and Management to see real and genuine improvement in the APVMA’s operations and meeting its statutory time performance.

While this commitment is for one year, we will continue working with the government to secure a longer-term, permanent arrangement.  Other, comparable Australian regulators, such as the Therapeutic Goods Administration, enjoy ongoing public good funding, as do all the APVMA’s OECD counterparts,” Mr Cossey said.

The APVMA is required to deliver essential public good activities, such as compliance, enforcement, and chemical reviews. These activities, left without sufficient resourcing, place a strain on the regulator’s ability to meet its legislated requirements.

This regulator plays a vital role in ensuring Australian farmers can access modern crop protection products in a timely manner which is at the foundation of farming productivity and ensuring downward pressure on the costs of every Australian’s food and grocery bill.

It now falls to the APVMA to ensure they become more efficient and delivery quicker outcomes to support the hard work of Australia’s farmers and delivery for the Australian community.

“CropLife Australia supports a strong, efficient and independent regulator. While permanent ongoing funding is essential for certainty for the sector and Australian food production, this is an encouraging first step towards equitable public-good funding,” said Mr Cossey.

ENDS