• Performance management report
• Strategy 1: Use robust risk-based methods to scientifically evaluate pesticides and veterinary medicines used in Australia
• Strategy 2: Keep all our stakeholders informed of regulatory matters and consider their views
• Strategy 3: Review registered chemicals to ensure they meet contemporary standards
• Strategy 4: Seek and use stakeholder feedback to inform regulatory activities
• Strategy 5: Require and monitor compliance with legislative requirements to maintain confidence in the regulatory framework
• Strategy 6: Identify and manage emerging regulatory issues

Organisation performance summary

The APVMA works to protect the health and safety of people, animals, crops, the environment, trade and agricultural and livestock industries through regulation of pesticides and veterinary medicines.

Under the 2010–11 Budget, all General Government Sector (GGS) entities are to report on a program basis to capture revisions made to GGS outcome statements under the Operation Sunlight Outcome Statements Review, as described in the Portfolio Budget Statements 2010–11 for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Portfolio.

In response to this requirement, the APVMA has developed a performance framework linking its legislative objectives to a revised outcome–program structure. It has replaced the previous outcome–outputs structure with one outcome that is achieved through a single program (Figure 3). This framework involves a detailed planning and reporting process that incorporates the Portfolio Budget Statement, the Annual Report, the Corporate Plan, the Annual Operational Plan and individual performance agreements.

In 2010–11, the APVMA’s outcome was supported by four objectives (see Figure 3):

• promote confidence through consistent, predictable, and transparent decision-making
• enhance awareness of how our regulatory activities protect people, the environment and trade
• engage with other government agencies to enhance regulatory efficiency
• enhance the capability of our people and systems.

The APVMA measures performance against these four objectives through six key strategies to deliver an efficient and effective system of regulation of pesticides and veterinary medicines:

• use robust risk-based methods to scientifically evaluate pesticides and veterinary medicines used in Australia
• keep all our stakeholders informed of regulatory matters and consider their views
• review registered chemicals to ensure they meet contemporary standards
• seek and use stakeholder feedback to inform regulatory activities
• require and monitor compliance with legislative requirements to maintain confidence in the regulatory framework
• identify and manage emerging regulatory issues.

Pages 16–18 contain summary reports against the targets, key performance indicators and strategies to deliver these objectives, as specified in the APVMA’s Operational Plan 2010–2011. These performance indicators are in line with the APVMA’s component in the Portfolio Budget Statements 2010–2011 for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Portfolio. Detailed performance information against each strategy is provided throughout this chapter.

In addition, there are two support strategies in the Operational Plan 2010–2011:

• conduct business efficiently and effectively
• value our people.

Summary reports against the targets for the two support strategies are on page 18.

Figure 3: Strategic framework

Key result areas

The APVMA met most of its projected targets for 2010–11 in relation to its single outcome. The following tables summarise performance against the eight strategies.

Strategy 1 Using robust risk based methods to scientifically evaluate pesticides and veterinary medicines used in Australia

Performance against targets Improved timeframe performance—approved 89 per cent of products, 17 per cent of actives, and 87 per cent of permit applications within timeframe Improved screening throughput by 22 per cent Increased the number of product applications finalised by 24 per cent Assessed and issued 65 emergency permits Maintained and improved science quality particularly in the area of spray drift risk and nanotechnology Maintained and enhanced international linkages, joint review and workshare projects with nine global joint reviews currently in process and planning for four new joint reviews

Strategy 2 Keep all our stakeholders informed of regulatory matters and consider their views

Performance against targets Effectiveness review of the Community Consultative Committee completed—57 per cent satisfaction with engagement Partnered with a chemical training organisation to develop educational materials for chemical users Mandatory government website accessibility standards met Employed multiple communication tools to inform diverse stakeholders Policy developed to ensure central capture of feedback 100 per cent of website feedback evaluated ‘Regulatory news’, ‘Our view’ and ‘Community questions’ pages on the website proved popular with high visitation

Strategy 3 Review registered chemicals to ensure they meet contemporary standards
Performance against targets Five review decisions completed Nine other review-related regulatory decisions completed Media releases and webpage updates for all review decisions Participated at scientific forums and stakeholder engagement meetings Issues identified and considered

Strategy 4 Seek and use stakeholder feedback to inform regulatory activities

Performance against targets Key performance indicators developed for consultative and liaison committees 72 per cent of all adverse experience reports finalised within 90 days 38 per cent more adverse experience reports were finalised than in 2009–10 Quality improvement activities have led to a 30 per cent decline in the number of adverse experience reports requiring subsequent clarification from the reporting persons and entities Review of the registrant component of AERP Ag finalised and published Report of Adverse Experiences for Veterinary Medicines and Agricultural Chemicals 2009 published in December 2010 Stakeholder engagement and awareness promoted by activities, including liaison with university veterinary sciences curriculum coordinators, participation in field days and national conferences, and sharing information with the international counterparts. 90 per cent of consultations undertaken in line with the interim public consultation policy

Strategy 5 Require and monitor compliance with legislative requirements to maintain confidence in the regulatory framework

Performance against targets New smart form available on APVMA website to report matters of non-compliance APVMA ‘Compliance and Enforcement Policy’ significantly progressed and is in the final stages of development A new factsheet about monitoring visits was developed and provided to industry Increased use of media releases and the electronic Regulatory Update and APVMA Gazette to report compliance activities Regulatory Strategy Committee launched AgQA Scheme review significantly progressed and final recommendations due for release in early 2011–12 New Compliance staff trained to meet the requirements of the Attorney-Generals Information Service Continued monitoring and audit programs All minor compliance cases closed within 90 days

Key performance indicators

Strategy 6 Identify and manage emerging regulatory issues

Performance against targets Accurate media reporting of APVMA position facilitated through engaging the media Media management initiatives attracted positive feedback from industry and government sectors around the world Community questions answered through ‘Our view’ and ‘Community questions’ website resources Emerging issues identified through strategic issues screening process Senior staff actively involved in identifying, ranking and monitoring emerging and ongoing issues

Strategy 7 (Support Strategy) Conduct our business efficiently and effectively

Performance against targets Audited financial statements provided by due date Unqualified audit result achieved ISO accreditation of Quality System maintained No significant adverse incidents across information technology systems Up-time of information technology systems maintained at above 97 per cent New computer fleet operationalised Revenue collected by due dates Tight expenditure control contributed to a surplus budget result

Strategy 8 (Support Strategy) Value our people
Performance against targets 100 per cent participation in performance appraisal system 85 per cent of recruitment processes completed within 45 days Full membership of committees maintained 100 per cent compliance with legislation maintained New enterprise agreement advanced to final stages

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