Grains Research and Development

Pathways to registration. Tactical pesticide registration program

Researcher's Name:
Mr Kevin Bodnaruk
Organisation:
AKC Consulting Pty Ltd
Email:
Phone:
+61 2 9499 3833
Fax:
+61 2 9499 6055
Project Code:
AKC00005
Contract Start:
29/6/2011
Contract End:
29/6/2014

Summary

The combined effects of changes in pest management needs, e.g., through resistance, regulatory activity, market access and registrant indifference with respect to generic pesticides, is placing increasing pressure on grains, pulse and oilseed industries to pursue gaining access to needed alternative pest and weed management options. A potentially serious outcome of the lack of pest management options can be the use of unapproved pesticides or inappropriate choices for pest control. The impact of such actions can be to compromise industry efforts to develop best management practices, e.g., in resistance management, and market access through the detection of unwanted pesticide residues in crop or animal commodities, jeopardise QA accreditation as well as have negative trade implications. While APVMA minor use permits are potentially available for non-major industries, as a means of gaining access to pest management options, permits are not generally an option for major broadacre agricultural industries. More recently, the option of gaining label extensions via Category 25 applications has been explored and appears to provide an alternate avenue for gaining regulatory approvals for major industries.The proposed modification to the pathways project aims to secure access to necessary pesticide options generally not available to growers via pesticide manufacturers and formulators. Industry can support Category 25 applications via critical data development, undertaken through ongoing liaison with industry stakeholders regarding priority needs and consultation with manufacturers and federal regulators on data requirements and availability.

Background

In order to meet the pest management needs of the grains industry GRDC intends funding targeted research to increase the number of approved farm chemical options. On the basis of industry priorities the project will utilise a new regulatory pathway and make applications to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for farm chemical label extensions, i.e., to add new crops and or uses. This approach will be of particular benefit where there has been limited interest from registrants and the option of pursuing a minor use permit is not a possibility.

Implications

As indicated the new registrations to be sought will be based on industry priorities. In addition, there will be co-operation from registrants in adding the approved uses on their labels. This should ensure that growers and advisors will be informed, and that the new uses are readily adopted

Objectives

The expected outcome of the project will be an increase in the number of approved chemical uses available to grain farmers. The uses sought will be based on industry nominated priorities. As a consequence it is anticipated the uses will be addressing specific needs and be readily adopted by growers

Outcomes

The initial output of the project will be the preparation of Category 25 applications for chemical label extensions. These will then be submitted to the APVMA seeking regulatory approval. The final output will be the new farm chemical label extensions, i.e., new registered uses. The target is to pursue as many as 10 label extensions per year.

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