Regulatory update #160

World first mobile application empowers Australian farmers and environmental managers

The APVMA has released an iPhone application that makes information about agricultural and veterinary chemicals registered in Australia instantly accessible to people on the move.

The tool, thought to be a world first, will give a farmer in a paddock the ability to access a searchable database of the 10,500 agricultural and veterinary chemicals approved for use in Australia. This will provide information on the registered chemical products available to treat a specific pest, information about active constituents, withholding periods, product labels and pack sizes—at the touch of a button.

The application (called APVMA), also provides information on suspended, cancelled, stopped or archived products. This is not currently available on any other system, including the 'parent' PUBCRIS database available on the APVMA website.

The app is expected to be widely used by farmers and environmental managers, with versions for Android devices also to be developed.

The APVMA app is available from iTunes or on iPhone or iPad, by searching for 'APVMA' on the App Store.

DAFF publishes initial public submissions received for its first-principles review of the cost recovery arrangements for the APVMA

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has published initial public submissions received for a first-principles review of the cost recovery arrangements for the APVMA.

This review aims to examine and recommend options to strengthen the financial sustainability, transparency and accountability of the APVMA’s cost recovery arrangements. The review is focused on the structure of the APVMA’s cost recovery framework. The review does not include consideration of the scope and level of the APVMA’s regulatory activities.

An invitation from DAFF for further submissions will follow the development of a new draft cost recovery framework (expected to be released in the first half of 2013).

For more information on the first-principles review—go to the DAFF website.

To make an enquiry about DAFF’s first-principles review please contact:

• by email to first-principles cost review team in DAFF:
  FPCostReview@daff.gov.au.
• by post:
  Agvet Chemicals (Domestic & International Policy)
  Agricultural Productivity Division
  Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
  GPO Box 858
  Canberra ACT 2601

For information on the APVMA’s interim cost recovery arrangements, the consultations that the APVMA has undertaken in the past year and other cost recovery background information—go to the APVMA’s cost recovery web page.

New Frameworks available in the APVMA Risk Compendium

We have released three new draft frameworks in the Risk Compendium that explain how the APVMA applies the suite of agvet legislation, its policies and its decision-making processes.

The new frameworks are drafted to reflect the current legislative arrangements and set out the key areas of change proposed in the revised exposure draft Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment Bill 2012. Existing frameworks have also been revised to reflect the new Bill and are available from the APVMA website.

New and updated releases include:

• Overview of APVMA Operations and Future Direction
• Registration
• Chemical Review (Reconsideration)
• Manufacturing Quality and Licensing Scheme
• Compliance and Enforcement

We are delivering reform through open and constructive engagement with you. We believe it’s important that we are clear about what you can expect from the APVMA when it comes to administering the agvet chemical legislation. That’s why we want to hear your feedback on our risk compendium.

Record of aproved active constituents for October 2012

The record for approved active consituents for chemical products have been updated for October 2012.

Reminder—open for public consultation

The APVMA is currently seeking comment on:

• Proposed variation to registration of Prosaro 420 SC Foliar Fungicide containing the existing active constituents prothioconazole and tebuconazole – 26 October 2012
• Proposed registration of new active constituent ametoctradin – 6 November 2012
• Proposal to Amend Standard 1.4.2 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – 6 November 2012
• Proposed variation to registration of Roundup Attack Herbicide with IQ inside containing the existing active constituent glyphosate – 18 November 2012
• Proposed registration of thiamazole in the product Felimazole Coated Tablet – 20 November 2012
• Proposed registration of the new active penflufen in the product EverGol Prime Seed Treatment – 20 November 2012
• Clarifying data requirements for herbicides used in genetically-modified crops – 28 January 2013
• It's important we get it right: developing our Risk Compendium – until further notice

Applications

Advice Summaries published since last issue are listed below. For a complete list and further information, please refer to the Advice Summaries content on our website.

• Newfarm Broadsword Herbicide
• Atopica 100 mg/mL Oral Solution for Cats
• Ambitious Plant Growth Regulator
• 4Farmers Sulfosulfuron 750 Herbicide
• Cerenia Injectable Solution
• Generation Firststrike Single-Feed Rodenticide
• Aduleth Termiticide
• Protectant Termite Barrier
• Dexdomitor Injectable Sedative and Analgesic for Dogs and Cats
• Canvac 4 Vaccine

Application Summaries are updated weekly. For a complete list, please refer to the Application Summaries content on our website.