The Albanese Labor Government continues the clean-up of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) with a clear path forward to reform, providing certainty for the authority and chemical users.
The Government is today releasing its detailed response to the final report on future structure and governance arrangements for the APVMA.
The Government's response also considers previous reviews undertaken on the APVMA.
Findings from these previous reports highlighted challenges and areas for improvement after years of policy failure under the former Coalition Government, including the decision to forcibly move the organisation to Armidale despite strong opposition.
The reviews offered recommendations to inform future structure and governance for the APVMA, and in relation to the regulatory system.
The detailed response outlines the Government's reform agenda for the APVMA, including reforms already underway and additional policy analysis and research that will strengthen Australia's agvet chemicals regulation.
The response offers a pragmatic pathway forward to strengthen the organisation.
The response demonstrates the Government is committed to a modern, fit-for-purpose and independent chemical regulator that builds public confidence in chemical and food safety.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP:
"The Albanese Labor Government wants to ensure the Australian public, our farmers and chemical users have faith in the APVMA to do a world-class job.
"It is critical the APVMA acts as an effective regulator, and the reforms our Government is undertaking will make sure the public can be confident in Australia's public health, food and environmental safety.
"The APVMA has already made significant changes over the past year, and I know they will continue to improve."
