Funding boost to support access to key agvet chemical products

The Albanese Labor Government is investing over $13 million to support access to effective and safe agricultural and veterinary chemicals.

The funding is split between two initiatives: an extension to the Improved Access to Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals program, and providing one-off funding to supplement the Australian Pesticides & Veterinary Medicines Authority’s (APVMA’s) cost-recovered funding.

The Improved Access to Agvet Chemicals program has been supporting growers, producers and the chemical industry access to critical agvet chemical products for 11 years.

The program has demonstrated great returns on investment, with an ABARES report from 2020 showing a return of $117 for every grant dollar spent.

To date, the program has assisted with 45 new permits and 21 additional uses for existing products.

By extending the program for another four years, with an additional $8.1 million, the Government is helping Australian farmers continue to produce food for Australia and the world.

In the recent Detailed Response to the Rapid Evaluation of the APVMA, the Government committed to developing a sustainable funding model.

Following detailed consultations about the APVMA’s Cost Recovery Implementation Statement, the Government has decided to maintain many of the existing fees and levies while work on a sustainable funding model commences.

An additional $5.2 million of one-off funding for the APVMA will complement an increase in cost recovered product registration renewal fees. This will provide a balanced budget for the regulator in the 2025-2026 year.

For more information visit Improved access to agricultural and veterinary chemicals program - DAFF.

For more information regarding the APVMA Cost Recovery Implementation Statement visit the APVMA website.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP:

“Australian farmers need access to effective crop protection products and veterinary medicines that protect not only the crops and animals they grow and manage, but also the health and safety of people, animals and the environment.

“It’s very important to Australia that we have an independent chemical regulator that’s properly resourced to ensure our agvet chemicals are safe.

“This funding demonstrates the Albanese Labor Government’s support for a strong regulator, and commitment to helping farmers access new agvet chemicals.