Appendix CCommittees
Community Consultative Committee
The APVMA Community Consultative Committee (CCC) provides a direct link for effective two-way communication between the national chemical regulator and community representatives with an interest in the way pesticides and veterinary medicines are regulated. The committee addresses issues raised by the community, and those referred by the APVMA, of matters relating to agvet chemicals and reporting on the effects on the community of the use or misuse of agvet chemicals.
For the APVMA to operate to best effect, it is vital that current and emerging issues of interest and concern that the community has with the regulation of these chemicals are taken into account. It is equally important that the community be kept fully informed on the rationale that underpins regulatory decisions. The CCC also provides a valuable means for the dissemination of information on such key issues back to the community.
While the regulation of pesticides and veterinary medicines can give rise to some contentious issues, the CCC operates in an atmosphere of shared respect for the different points of view represented in its membership and an acknowledgement of scientific fact as the legitimate basis for decision-making.
Terms of reference
The CCC’s terms of reference require it to:
- communicate community views to the APVMA on a range of issues about pesticides and veterinary medicines
- encourage informed community debate by conveying information from the APVMA to community networks and explaining the operations and processes of the APVMA to the community
- convey community concerns to the APVMA about pesticides and veterinary medicines
- recommend to the APVMA further work that might be undertaken to resolve issues of community concern relating to the registration of pesticides and veterinary medicines
- advise on matters referred to it by the APVMA.
Membership and attendance
The committee met in Canberra four times in 2009-10 (September and December 2009 and March and June 2010). Attendance at CCC meetings is shown in Table C-1.
Dr Raj Bhula was the APVMA’s executive advisor to the committee.
| Member | Organisation | Meetings attended |
Meetings eligible to attend |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Dr Heather Yeatman (Chair) |
Public Health Association of Australia |
4 |
4 |
|
Mr Peter Cone |
National Farmers’ Federation |
4 |
4 |
|
Mr Neville Prowse-Brown |
Australian Landscape Trust, East Gippsland Landcare Network, Victorian Farmers Federation East Gippsland District Council |
4 |
4 |
|
Ms Heather Wieland |
Country Women’s Association of Australia |
3 |
3 |
|
Mr John Temperley |
Farmsafe Australia Inc |
4 |
4 |
|
Mr Joe Elbustani |
Greenhouse Vegetables Association, NSW Farmers Association |
3 |
4 |
|
Mr Anthony Amis |
Friends of the Earth |
4 |
4 |
|
Mr David Lawson |
Consumers Federation of Australia |
4 |
4 |
Issues considered
Significant achievements for the CCC in 2009-10 were:
- continued work on advancing the emerging issues project in agvet chemical regulation
- completion of work with the APVMA to provide an emerging issues link on the APVMA website in the form of ‘Chemicals in the News’ and ‘Community Questions’
- continued work on the current educational requirements around agvet use
- a submission to the Product Safety and Integrity Committee to raise the education and information provision role in relation to the review of a single national framework.
The committee also received several presentations from the APVMA and industry members on spray drift risk assessment for human health and on the globally harmonised system on chemical labelling.
Declarations of Interest
There were no matters declared by any member of the CCC that would give rise to any personal, material conflict of interest. Records of declarations are maintained by the APVMA.
Industry Liaison Committee
The Industry Liaison Committee (ILC) is the main consultative forum for the APVMA and peak chemical industry organisations representing registrants of agvet chemicals. The committee is used to promote active engagement of key industry stakeholders in the strategic planning process, operational issues and associated reforms developed by the APVMA in its role as manager of the National Registration Scheme.
The ILC operates as a mechanism for industry, through peak chemical industry bodies, to provide input APVMA’s corporate planning activities, including consideration of current or emerging strategic issues and provide a forum for formal consultation on APVMA operating policies and programs. The ILC offers a vehicle to enhance co-operation between industry and APVMA.
Terms of reference
The ILC’s terms of reference are to:
- obtain the views of industry members on issues of a strategic nature
- provide industry input to APVMA corporate planning processes
- identify opportunities for regulatory reform within the existing framework
- provide a forum for the exchange of information including performance and expectations
- address specific operating policy issues through working groups
- consider the impact of proposed macro-policy changes on APVMA operations and implications for industry.
Membership and attendance
The committee met three times in Canberra during 2009-10 (August and November 2009 and April 2010). Attendance at ILC meetings is shown in Table C-2.
| Member | Organisation | Meetings attended |
Meetings eligible to attend |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Dr Eva Bennet-Jenkins |
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority |
3 |
3 |
|
Ms Kathy Nolan Ms Dusanka Sabic |
ACCORD Australasia |
2 3 |
3 3 |
|
Mr Lindsay Showyin Dr Philip Fleming |
Aerosol Association of Australia Inc. |
3 3 |
3 3 |
|
Dr Peter Holdsworth |
Animal Health Alliance (Australia) Ltd |
1 |
3 |
|
Ms Paula Matthewson Dr Adrian Harris Mr Ben Stapley |
CropLife Australia |
3 2 1 |
3 2 1 |
|
Mr John Firth |
Generic Agricultural Chemical Association |
1 |
3 |
|
Mr Kevin Bodnaruk |
Nursery and Garden Industry Australia |
1 |
3 |
|
Mr Bernard Lee Geoff MacAlpine |
Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association |
1 3 |
3 3 |
|
Mr Spiros Dassakis |
Swimming Pool and Spa Association of Australia |
1 |
3 |
|
Mr Robert Schufft Mr Ian Saunders |
The Veterinary Manufacturers and Distributors Association Ltd |
3 2 |
3 3 |
Issues considered
Issues before the ILC included:
- regulatory compliance relating to compounding pharmacies
- Freedom of Information reforms
- insecticide mode of action classification
- compliance reforms
- input into the 2010-11 Operational Plan
- management of the ILC’s working groups and the future role of ITC
- World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology ectoparasiticide guidelines
- input into review of the agvet chemicals framework
- the National Registration Scheme and the APVMA’s role in education
- the review of application screening processes
- operational policy on research permits
- ILC Key Performance Indicators.
The committee also received presentations from several state government departments on control of use regulation and the single national framework for agvet chemicals, as well as presentations on procedures taken up by the APVMA to improve internal processes.
Declarations of Interest
There were no matters declared by any member of the ILC that would give rise to any personal, material conflict of interest. Records of declarations are maintained by the APVMA.
Industry Technical Committee
The Industry Technical Committee (ITC) supports the Industry Liaison Committee (ILC) by addressing specific technical issues affecting regulatory policy, programs and performance. The committee is sought to improve the functioning of the ILC, both for industry and the APVMA by dealing with specific technical issues and provide a forum for peak industry and from specialist scientific and technical bodies to progress technical, administrative and other relevant issues.
Membership of the ITC is drawn from industry groups represented on the ILC and from other specialist scientific and technical groups.
The ITC has been discontinued, as noted earlier in the report (see page 41). The industry stakeholders represented will be invited to join ILC and the working groups that previously reported through the ITC to the ILC will now report directly to ILC.
Terms of reference
The committee’s terms of reference were to:
- address specific technical issues through working groups, which should be led by an industry representative where possible
- provide technical input to APVMA guidelines, standards, operating procedures and publications for the assessment of agvet chemicals prior to their release for public consultation
- consider matters relating to the technical work of the APVMA.
Membership and attendance
The committee met twice 10 (September 2009 and February 2010). Attendance at ITC meetings is shown in Table C-3.
| Member | Organisation | Meetings attended |
Meetings eligible to attend |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Dr Allen Bryce (chair) |
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority |
2 |
2 |
|
Ms Kathy Nolan Ms Catherine Oh |
ACCORD Australia |
2 1 |
2 2 |
|
Dr Philip Fleming |
Aerosol Association of Australia |
0 |
2 |
|
Mr Richard Phillips |
Australian Paint Manufacturers’ Federation |
2 |
2 |
|
Vacant |
Australian Racing Board |
0 |
2 |
|
Dr Kim Agnew |
Australian Veterinarians in Industry |
1 |
2 |
|
Dr Bruce Twentyman |
Australian Veterinary Association |
1 |
2 |
|
Dr Peter Holdsworth |
Animal Health Alliance (Australia) Ltd |
2 |
2 |
|
Dr Adrian Harris |
CropLife Australia |
2 |
2 |
|
Dr Kevin Bodnaruk |
Horticulture Australia Limited |
1 |
2 |
|
Dr Roger Bektash |
Pet Food Industry Association of Australia |
2 |
2 |
|
Ms Stephanie Leach |
Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association |
2 |
2 |
|
Mr Ian Saunders Mr Robert Schufft |
The Veterinary Manufacturers and Distributors Association |
1 2 |
2 2 |
Issues considered
Issues before the ITC in 2009–10 included:
- reports of ITC working groups and consultation
- the APVMA’s Adverse Experience Reporting Program
- register of APVMA requirements, guidelines and operational policies under development
- regulation of compounding pharmacies
- cascade system for veterinary prescribing
- MORAG Guidelines 47 and 49
- veterinary immunobiological products stability guidelines
- cuprous oxide standards
- implementation of the Globally Harmonised System of Labelling
- options for modes of engagement with the APVMA
- an Animal Health Alliance (Australasia) proposal for increasing efficiencies without compromising risk assessment in respect of changes to manufacturing licences and particulars.
Declarations of Interest
There were no matters declared by any of the ITC that would give rise to any personal, material conflict of interest. Records of declarations are maintained by the APVMA.
Manufacturers’ Licensing Scheme Industry Liaison Committee
The APVMA established the Manufacturers’ Licensing Scheme Industry Liaison Committee (MLSILC) to provide a forum to discuss strategic and operational issues related to the Manufacturers’ Licensing Scheme (MLS) and the Overseas GMP Scheme with industry representatives and auditors.
Terms of reference
The committee was created to promote active engagement of key stakeholders by:
obtaining the views of industry members and auditors on issues of an operational, technical or strategic nature
advancing the development and review of operating procedures, manufacturing standards and guidelines relevant to the MLS
providing industry input into APVMA operational planning processes related to manufacturing issues
identifying opportunities for regulatory reform within the existing framework
considering the impact of proposed policy changes on APVMA operations and implications for industry
facilitating communication with industry and other stakeholders.
Membership and attendance
The committee met four times (in July and October 2009 and in January and April 2010). Attendance at committee meetings is shown in Table C-4.
Table C-4 Membership and attendance at Manufacturers’ Licensing Scheme Industry Liaison Committee meetings
| Member | Organisation | Meetings attended |
Meetings eligible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Bruce Johnson (Chair) | Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority |
4 | 4 |
| Mrs Kathryn Winterton | 4 | 4 | |
| Ms Michelle Elliot (Secretary, Jul 09) | 1 | 1 | |
| Ms Rheannon McNeil (Secretary, Oct 09) | 1 | 1 | |
Ms Dounia Houzaife (Secretary, Jan and Jun 10 |
2 |
2 |
|
| Mr Andrew Duncum | Animal Health Alliance (Australia) Ltd |
2 | 4 |
| Dr Peter Holdsworth (Jun 09) | 1 | 3 | |
Mr Neil Sammons (Dec 09 to |
2 |
3 |
|
Mr Ian Wheatley |
Auditors’ representative |
4 |
4 |
Mr Bill Blackhall |
The Veterinary Manufacturers and Distributors Association |
4 |
4 |
Issues Considered
Issues considered during 2008–09 included:
progress with auditing and licensing of veterinary medicine product manufacturers
feedback from manufacturers on the audit process
memorandum of understanding between APVMA and the TGA
planned appointment of additional APVMA GMP auditors
various GMP issues, including: stability testing requirements; licensing requirements for warehouses/storage; requirements for change of site of manufacture
raising awareness of enforcement activity in relation to licensing breaches
progress with the Overseas GMP Scheme
various Overseas GMP issues, including requirement to maintain evidence of GMP compliance and the auditing of overseas sites
operation and management of mutual recognition agreements, including report of APVMA staff member’s visit to European Medicines Agency, London, in February-March 2010
compounding pharmacies
2010 Auditors Workshop.
Registration Liaison Committee
The Registration Liaison Committee (RLC) is the main consultative forum for the APVMA, representatives of the state and territory signatories to the National Registration Scheme and other relevant Australian government agencies.
The purpose of the RLC is to provide a forum for the development and operational coordination of the National Registration Scheme and for consultation on the development of operational policies, guidelines and protocols in both the APVMA and the signatory organisations. The aim is to allow effective alignment of the pesticide and veterinary medicines control objectives of the APVMA and states and territories.
Terms of reference
The terms of reference of the RLC are to:
align the outputs of the APVMA’s registration processes and the chemical management objectives of the states and territories
develop operational policies for the operation of the National Registration Scheme, including those dealing with registration (including labelling), regulation and appropriate use of agricultural and veterinary chemicals
provide feedback on state and territory views on these issues and particularly their impact on chemical users and the responsibilities of regulators
address specific operating policy issues as necessary
- provide input to operational planning priorities
- provide input to existing chemical review priorities.
Membership and attendance
Formal meetings of the RLC were held in Canberra in September 2009 and March 2010, and twice more by teleconference (November 2009 and June 2010). Attendance at RLC meetings is shown in Table C-5.
Table C-5 Membership and attendance at Registration Liaison Committee meetings and teleconferences
| Member | Organisation | Meetings attended |
Meetings eligible to attend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Allen Bryce (Chair RLC38 / June 2010 Teleconference) |
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority |
4 | 4 | Dr Raj Bhula |
4 |
4 |
Mr David Power |
Environment Protection, ACT Chief Minister’s Department |
1 |
4 |
Mr Lee Cook |
Department of Primary Industries, NSW |
4 |
4 |
| Mr Andrew Hawkins | Department of Environment and Climate Change, NSW |
3 | 4 |
| Ms Carmen Dwyer | 2 | 4 | |
Mr Roger de Keyzer |
1 |
4 |
|
| Ms Sue Duncan | Department of Primary Industries, Victoria |
3 | 4 |
Mr George Downing |
3 |
4 |
|
Ms Petra Lennon |
Primary Industries and Resources, South Australia |
4 |
4 |
Mr Stuart Bowman |
Department of Primary Industries and Water, Tasmania |
3 |
4 |
| Mr Vlad Kawaljenko | Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines, Northern Territory |
1 | 4 |
Mr John Alcock |
3 |
4 |
|
| Mr Wayne Thompson | Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland |
2 | 4 |
| Ms Pamela Bowles | 1 | 4 | |
Mr Richard Watts |
1 |
4 |
|
| Mr Chris Sharpe | Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia |
3 | 4 |
Ms Kristy Moynihan |
1 |
4 |
|
| Dr Martin Matisons | Department of Health, Western Australia |
0 | 4 |
Ms Willow Warren |
1 |
4 |
|
| Ms Maree Zinzley | Agricultural Chemicals and Veterinary Medicines Group, New Zealand Food Safety Authority |
2 | 4 |
Ms Trish Whitaker |
2 |
4 |
|
| Dr Donald Ward | OCSEH, Australian Department of Health and Ageing |
2 | 4 |
| Mr Mathew Bulters | 2 | 4 | |
Mr Christopher Lee |
1 |
4 |
|
| Mr Greg Plummer | Chemical Assessment Section, DEWHA |
1 | 4 |
Mr David Perry |
1 |
4 |
Issues considered
Issues considered by RLC included:
- progress with auditing and licensing of veterinary medicine product manufacturers
- feedback from manufacturers on the audit process
- memorandum of understanding between APVMA and the TGA
- planned appointment of additional APVMA GMP auditors
- various GMP issues, including: stability testing requirements; licensing requirements for warehouses/storage; requirements for change of site of manufacture
- raising awareness of enforcement activity in relation to licensing breaches
- progress with the Overseas GMP Scheme
- various Overseas GMP issues, including requirement to maintain evidence of GMP compliance and the auditing overseas sites
- operation and management of mutual recognition agreements, including report of APVMA staff member’s visit to European Medicines Agency, London, in February-March 2010
- compounding pharmacies
- 2010 Auditors Workshop.
Declarations of Interest
There were no matters declared by any of the RLC that would give rise to any personal, material conflict of interest. Records of declarations are maintained by the APVMA.