The report discusses the benefits and challenges of regulating nanotechnology for use in agriculture and animal husbandry, as advances in nanoscale science, engineering and technology pave the way for developing novel applications, devices and systems.

In 2014, the APVMA engaged the Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis to develop an application profiling tool that could identify applications suited to a lower level of regulatory intervention. The APVMA screening level risk assessment tool—final report outlines the principles and criteria for an application profiling tool or decision tree that aggregates information on a range of factors relevant to applications for approval, registration and variation. The decision tree replicates the logic deployed by the APVMA in its preliminary decision-making to determine whether an application can be approved without detailed assessment. The report has informed our business improvement work including the development of a fast-track registration process, an expanded list of notifiable variations and additional product standards.