FRESH moves are underway to fast-track new ag-vet chemical products through $1.6 million in research grants and $2.4 million in a second round of funding.
Agriculture and Water Resources Barnaby Joyce announced the changes to bolster farm production at Narangba in Queensland this afternoon, alongside Regional Development Minister and Nationals deputy-leader Fiona Nash and local Coalition MP Luke Howarth.
Mr Joyce said the funding initiatives formed part of the Coalition’s plan for jobs and growth in giving farmers the tools they needed.
He said 49 separate grants to rural Research and Development Corporations would support applications for new chemical uses to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
“Dollars into research is good for our primary producers and the Coalition is giving our farmers the right tools to stay at the top of their game,” he said.
“Our $1.6m investment under the Improved Access to Agvet Chemicals initiative will help fast-track new products and allow existing chemicals to be approved for wider uses, giving farmers more options to fight pests, weeds and diseases.”
Mr Joyce said Australia was a relatively small market which meant the cost involved in registering an ag-vet chemical often made the venture uncommercial.
But the new funding would help bridge that gap by helping Australian producers access the same new and innovative ag-vet chemicals as some international competitors, he said.
Mr Joyce said the money would also provide much-needed support for emerging or speciality livestock and crop industries and target new pest species.
“The Coalition has listened to stakeholders and will make available $100,000 grants under round two to help our agricultural industries secure APVMA approval to get more uses put onto chemical labels,” he said.
Senator Nash said the Coalition would continue to find ways to make life easier for farmers who deserved the best access to the best tools.
“I'm a farmer myself and I know how important agri-chemicals are to my farm,” she said.
“This initiative means farmers will get access to the best chemicals sooner than they otherwise would, and that could save them time and money.”
Mr Howarth said it was great to see a world-class local chemical and fertiliser manufacturer benefiting from efficient regulations with the launch held at Accensi located in his Petrie electorate.
He said the company - which manufactures crop protection products for local and multinational companies - was “a real local success story”.
“Over the past 30 years, it has grown to be an important local employer and today’s announcement helps underpin and secure investment in this industry and local jobs,” Mr Howarth said.
“It’s also a great example of how metropolitan and regional communities are linked by skilled manufacturing – the chemicals and fertilisers made here at Accensi grow local jobs and in turn, help our farmers grow better food and fibre for all Australians.
“It goes to show that the Coalition’s focus on supporting innovative enterprises cuts across all sectors – whether it’s local chemical and fertiliser production, or pineapple, stone fruit or onion growers.”
Accensi CEO Paul Barber said his company welcomed the investment in improving access to safe and effective products.
“We are delighted with the government’s continued investment in the agricultural industry to improve access to safe and effective products, particularly the opportunity to ensure these products are locally made adhering to Australian regulatory and quality specifications,” he said.
“We will do our utmost to fulfil our commitment to serving the Australian farming community in support of the government’s initiatives.”
Horticulture Innovation Australia and the Grains Research and Development Corporation will both receive funding under the Round One grants.
The grants form part of the government’s four-year $8m investment in improving access to safe and effective ag-vet chemicals, including work to; establish an official Australian crop grouping list and associated APVMA guidelines; migrate some APVMA permits to product labels; and develop and implement an ag-vet collaborative forum.
CropLife Australia CEO Matthew Cossey commended the Minister and government for supporting the fast-tracking of agvet chemical products and ensuring Australian farmers had access to the tools and products “essential to remaining competitive in a challenging global agricultural industry”.
“A regulation generated market failure in the delivery of crop protection products exists because the cost of regulating a crop protection product in Australia is the same on a dollar basis as it is in the US, yet the market here is one‑tenth the size,” he said.
“The regulation of agricultural chemicals must be commensurate with risk and this funding goes some way to correcting the number of inconsistencies in the current regulatory environment.”
Horticulture Innovation Australia said it had successfully secured more than $1 million in assistance grants under the government program with CEO John Lloyd saying his group submitted 40 grant applications and 37 were successful.
“The allocation of a large number of grants to the horticulture industry presents strong support for a $9 billion resources sector that is growing at a rapid rate,” he said.
“Over the past five years, the industry has grown in value by $1 billion – that’s a rise of more than 12 per cent.
“This Agvet grant funding will open up more opportunities for growers to better manage pests, weeds and disease, ensuring the sustainability and profitability of the industry, and quality products for consumers.”
