APVMA PESTICIDE REVIEW TIMEFRAMES EXTENDED

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) acknowledges the Australian Pesticides And Veterinary Medicines Authority’s (APVMA) announcement timeframes for regulatory review decisions have been revised. 

The APVMA issued a statement last week saying it had revised the expected publication dates for the proposed regulatory decisions on fipronil, neonicotinoids, and anticoagulant rodenticides. 

The statement HERE said: 

‘The expected publication of the proposed decisions on fipronil agricultural chemical products has been delayed until April 2026 and fipronil veterinary chemical products until March 2026. 

‘Proposed decisions on the individual chemistries within the neonicotinoid review (acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiacloprid and thiamethoxam) will be published separately commencing in late 2025. The expected publication date for the proposed decision on anticoagulant rodenticides has been delayed until July 2025. The APVMA is committed to undertaking rigorous evidence-based reviews, and must consider all relevant information. As a result, the timeframes for these reviews have been extended to allow us to appropriately consider information that has been provided to us or identified in the public domain.’ 

The statement also said the APVMA was continuing to progress: 

‘...all ongoing chemical reconsiderations, including prioritising the finalisation of chemical reconsiderations subject to the Ministerial Direction given by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, in July 2023. The ongoing reconsiderations subject to the ministerial direction are paraquat, diquat, fenitrothion, neomycin and fipronil. If a chemical poses a serious or imminent risk to human health, the environment, or trade, the APVMA will take action to mitigate those risks as quickly as possible. None of the assessments completed to date indicate the need for an urgent regulatory response.’ 

In December last year, GPA also welcomed the APVMA’s announcement that the timeframes for the finalisation of their Paraquat and Diquat reviews would be extended to late 2025 HERE and the national pesticide regulator had also reinforced its commitment to ‘undertaking a rigorous evidence-based review process’. HERE 

GPA has also released policy priorities for the 2025 Federal Election. HERE These priorities include calling for policy support and initiatives, including APVMA reforms, which ensure Australian grain producers can maintain access to agricultural pesticides, to continue producing high quality grains. 

“Backing our farmers provides grass roots strength to continuing growing the shared benefits and prosperity delivered for our industry, the economy, environment, and rural communities” GPA Southern Grower Director, and RD&E Spokesperson, Andrew Weidemann AM said. 

“GPA will continue to advocate support and appropriate resourcing to strengthen independent and scientific, evidence-based regulatory system operated by the APVMA.”  

ENDS 

Further Information: 

GPA Chief Executive Colin Bettles: 0439 901 970 

GPA Southern Grower Director, and RD&E Spokesperson, Andrew Weidemann AM: 0428 504 544