More than 150 submissions to the proposed regulatory decisions for paraquat and diquat consultation, which closed last week, sends a clear message to the Federal Government that time pressures should play no role in regulatory processes.
Grain Producers Australia (GPA) and its State Farming Organisation members made representation among these submissions that the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) will now respond to with a final regulatory decision by mid-2025, an extension to the originally announced February 2025 timeline.
GPA Research Development and Extension (RD&E) Spokesman Andrew Weidemann said paraquat and diquat herbicides are integral to modern farming systems and weed management and a regulatory decision should not be rushed.
“Internal and external pressures on the APVMA have been high in recent times, with costs, resourcing and performance questions being asked in the political sphere and in the media,” he said.
“While the authority needs to be accountable for its work, it also needs the space to operate effectively without deadlines that do not allow for due diligence.”
Mr Weidemann said GPA members continue to support an independent, evidence-based and scientifically focused regulator that is operating as efficiently as it should and can be.
This week in Federal Parliament, the issue of a sideline commentary to the APVMA review process was highlighted by the Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster.
Namely that of media reports and campaigns linking paraquat use to the incidence of Parkinson’s Disease.
This is despite the APVMA making an unprecedented decision to respond to the media commentary, ruling out any scientific links to substantiate this claim.
“GPA in no way wishes to diminish the ongoing experiences of those with Parkinson’s Disease, however we trust in the ability of the APVMA to review the science and the need for it to do so without external pressures,” Mr Weidemann said.
“We are absolutely concerned for people living with Parkinson’s Disease, but the reality is, as confirmed by three OECD-nation regulators in the last four years, there is no established causal link between paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease, particularly under real world conditions."
Mr Weidemann welcomed efforts by Dr Webster and Nationals Member for Parkes Mark Coulton and Nationals Member for Riverina Michael McCormack who spoke in support of the motion to bring the sideline issue to APVMA processes to the attention of Parliament.
ENDS
Further Information:
GPA RD&E Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann: 0428 504 544
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