Pesticides Regulatory Newsletter, July 2022

• Directors update: Dr Gary Dorr and Mr Cameron Dalgleish
• APVMA performance update
• Agricultural Labelling Code review update
• New product registrations
• Notifying the APVMA of new information under section 161 of the Agvet Code
• Chemical review update
• New agvet chemical legislation

Directors update: Dr Gary Dorr and Mr Cameron Dalgleish

Welcome to the July 2022 edition of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority’s (APVMA) Pesticides Regulatory Newsletter. This quarter we welcome Mr Cameron Dalgleish, who is acting in the role of Director while Mr Hugh Dawick is on extended leave.

In this edition, we have included information on a range of regulatory topics, including an update on our review of the Agricultural Labelling Code, Pesticides Team timeframe performance, as well as information on notifying the APVMA of new information under s 161 of the Agvet Code and a proposed regulatory decision for the reconsideration of procymidone.

We continue to encourage applicants to participate in APVMA stakeholder meetings, which are a valuable forum for both industry and the APVMA Pesticides Team to discuss current and future applications, priorities, and work through any concerns. These meetings can be organised through your Case Manager by emailing casemanagement@apvma.gov.au.

If you have any suggestions or requests for future editions of the APVMA’s Pesticides Regulatory Newsletter, please send them through to communications@apvma.gov.au.

Please reach out to any member of the Pesticides Team if you require assistance related to the registration of pesticides.

Back to top

APVMA performance update

The Pesticides Team delivered another quarter of sustained timeframe performance in the March quarter 2022.

We completed:

• 98.2% of total pesticide product applications within timeframe
• 95.4% of pesticide product major applications within timeframe
• 100% of pesticide product minor (non-technical) applications within timeframe.

The full performance report for the March quarter 2022 is available on our website.

Back to top

Agricultural Labelling Code review update

The Pesticides Team has continued to make progress in our review of the Agricultural Labelling Code (ALC), and we would like to thank those stakeholders who have already provided feedback following the release of the first batch of revised content.

We are now preparing the second batch of revised content for release to interested stakeholders. The second batch will consider the following sections of the ALC:

• Mode of action
• Statement of claims for use
• Withholding period statements
• Trade advice statements
• Safety directions
• First aid instructions
• Batch number
• Date of manufacture and/or expiry date of product

The revised ALC will be released to interested stakeholders in approximately 7 batches, with a final public consultation of the revised ALC to follow.

Stakeholders are encouraged to contact the Project Team via ALCreview@apvma.gov.au to register your interest in reviewing the revised ALC.

Back to top

New product registrations

The APVMA publishes a fortnightly Gazette, which includes information about new product registrations and variations to currently registered particulars or conditions for registration.

The following table lists the new registrations of agricultural chemical products, based on new active constituents, published in the Gazette to date for FY 2021–22 and not included in previous newsletters.

Registration of agricultural chemicals products based on new active constituents requires consultation prior to registration. Please see the public consultations section on our website for consultation opportunities.

Back to top

Notifying the APVMA of new information under section 161 of the Agvet Code

Holders are required to notify the APVMA of new information under section 161 of the Schedule to the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994 (Agvet Code).

A notification to the APVMA under section 161 is required if the holder of:

• a registration or a permit in relation to a chemical product; or
• the approval or a permit of an active constituent for a proposed or existing chemical product; or
• the approval of a label for containers for a chemical product;

becomes aware of any relevant information in relation to the constituent, product, or label.

Relevant information includes information that contradicts information entered in the Record, Register or Record of Permits or shows that a constituent or product may not meet the safety, efficacy, trade or labelling criteria of the Agvet Code.

Any information that is given to the APVMA under section 161 of the Agvet Code must be provided in writing and signed by the holder.

Information given by email must include an electronic signature of the holder. These may be sent to enquiries@apvma.gov.au with the subject ‘Section 161: notification of relevant information’.

Alternatively, information can be provided to the APVMA by mail to the postal address on our website.

Further information on notifying the APVMA under section 161 of the Agvet Code is available on our website.

Back to top

Chemical review update

Public consultation on the proposed regulatory decision (PRD) for the reconsideration of procymidone will close on 9 August 2022. The Special Gazette 9 May 2022 includes more information about the PRD and how to make a submission. Following consideration of all submissions received during the public consultation period, the APVMA will publish a final decision.

In summary, the PRD outlines the APVMA’s proposal to:

1. retain procymidone as a safe and effective fungicide for use by Australian broadacre horticulture and ornamental plant industries
2. affirm the active constituent approval
3. vary and affirm the product registrations and label approvals with:
   • the removal of instructions for use on faba beans and navy beans
   • restricting the current use pattern on potatoes, by limiting the number of applications per crop to 4 and increasing the harvest withholding period from 9 days to 21 days
   • the addition of contemporary disposal instructions
   • the removal of state-based restrictions on use
   • additional spray-drift restraints to protect the safety of people, animals and the environment.

Enquiries about the PRD or public consultation can be directed to enquiries@apvma.gov.au

Back to top

New agvet chemical legislation

The Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority Board and Other Improvements) Act 2021 (Improvements Act) includes changes to the way the APVMA can require information from an applicant while determining an application. The APVMA may request clarifying information under section 8C(2A) of the Agvet Code, such as requesting label revisions. Applicants will have 14 days to provide the requested information. Further information about requiring additional information is available on our website.

Back to top