The National Farmers' Federation welcomes the Federal Government's detailed response today to the report on the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority's (APVMA) structure and governance and other reviews.
The response addresses over 100 recommendations from three reviews of the APVMA and Australia's agricultural and veterinary chemicals (agvet chemicals) regulatory system.
NFF President David Jochinke said the response was balanced and placed meaningful stakeholder engagement at the forefront of key reforms.
"Access to safe, innovative and effective agvet chemicals and medicines is in the interests of farmers and the community," Mr Jochinke said.
"Not only is timely access to agvet chemicals critical to our productivity and international competitiveness but, now more than ever, it's critical to our sustainability.
"Put simply, farmers simply cannot grow what they grow without agvet chemicals. Farmers depend on the regulator to determine what they can use and how."
The NFF is a stringent supporter of the role and competency of the APVMA, as Australia's world-leading, independent, science-based regulator of agvet chemicals.
"Ensuring public trust in the use of agvet chemicals in Australia has never been more important. That includes industry trust and the trust of the broader community. The NFF welcomes government support for reforms which will further improve transparency, accountability, efficiency and performance frameworks."
The NFF notes that several recommendations are supported on the provision of further stakeholder consultation and resourcing requirements.
"We're calling on the government and the APVMA to harness industry's practical knowledge when considering any big-ticket reforms. Meaningful engagement is a priority and cannot be rushed.
"We can also see that some of these reforms will come with a sizeable price tag. It's time for the government to put their money where their mouth is - prioritise our food and fibre, prioritise public confidence and ensure this job is done right."
