The National Registration Scheme for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals
The regulatory framework for managing pesticides and veterinary medicines in Australia is collectively referred to as the National Registration Scheme for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (NRS). The NRS is a partnership between the Commonwealth and the states and territories, with a shared division of responsibilities.
The APVMA administers the NRS in partnership with state and territory government agencies, with collaboration from other Commonwealth agencies. The Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC), and its associated committees are responsible for policy development.
Policy
The Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC) (external site) consists of the Australian, state, territory and New Zealand government ministers responsible for agriculture, food, fibre, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture industries, production and rural adjustment policy. Amongst other things PIMC is responsible for agricultural and veterinary chemicals policy.
There are a range of subcommittees that support PIMC, with the key operational arm being the Product Safety and Integrity Committee (PSIC) (external site). Its role is to provide advice on issues relating to the safety and integrity of agricultural (primary) produce before it leaves the farm, including the safety and sustainability of agricultural (primary) production systems. Its membership comprises representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), state and territory departments responsible for agriculture, the New Zealand Food Safety Authority, CSIRO, as well as the Environment Protection and Heritage Council, the Workplace Relations Ministerial Council and the Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council.
The APVMA participates in PSIC forums as an observer but has no policy function aside from informing policy processes where it is appropriate for it to do so.
DAFF is responsible for formulating policy relating to pesticides and veterinary medicines at the Commonwealth level and inputting that through the PIMC committee processes. DAFF is also responsible for the legislation administered by the APVMA.
Assessment
Under the NRS, the APVMA is responsible for the assessment and registration of pesticides and veterinary medicines and for their regulation up to and including the point of retail sale in Australia. The APVMA is also responsible for monitoring compliance in the marketplace and for reviewing registered chemical products to ensure that they continue to meet high contemporary standards.
The following organisations advise the APVMA on specific topics of expertise in relation to proposed product registrations, permit applications and assessment of chemicals under review.
| Organisation | Provides advice on |
|---|---|
Human health (toxicology and occupational health and safety) impacts |
|
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) (external site) |
Environmental impacts |
Food Standards Australian New Zealand (FSANZ) (external site) |
Dietary risk assessment (food safety) |
Genetically modified organisms |
|
State and territory agencies (see below) |
Target animal and crop safety |
Independent experts |
Efficacy |
The APVMA maintains its own expertise in relation to residues and chemistry evaluation.
Management of Use
State and territory governments are responsible for controlling the use of pesticides and veterinary medicines beyond the point of retail sale. In some states, more than one agency is involved.
Once a registered chemical product is sold or supplied to an end-user, it controlled by state and territory legislation through legislative initiatives, codes of practice manuals, or standard operating procedures.
The following government agencies are responsible for managing the use of pesticides and veterinary medicines in each state and territory.
| State/territory | Agency responsible |
|---|---|
Australian Capital Territory |
Department of the Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water (external site) |
New South Wales |
Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (external site) |
Northern Territory |
|
Queensland |
Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (external site) |
South Australia |
|
Tasmania |
Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (external site) |
Victoria |
Department of Primary Industries (Chemical Standards Branch) (external site) |
Western Australia |
|
Department of Health (Public Health Division) (external site) |
Monitoring
The NRS has a number of feedback loops to ensure that human health, safety, the environment and trade are protected from harmful levels of agricultural and veterinary chemicals. This includes:
- an extensive food residue testing system involving local, state and Commonwealth regulators. DAFF undertakes random, targeted and compliance residue monitoring through the National Residues Survey (external site), while Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) monitors the food supply through the Australian Total Diet Study (external site). This system is supplemented by wide ranging testing undertaken by commodity groups and supermarket chains.
- environmental monitoring by Commonwealth, state and territory environmental protection agencies, statutory authorities and tertiary institutions
- adverse experience reports from chemical users through the APVMA’s Adverse Experience Reporting Program
- advice from Commonwealth and state government agencies, other national and international regulators and scientific institutions.
Management and regulation of other chemical products
- Industrial chemicals (eg dyes, solvents, adhesives, plastics, paints, chemicals in cosmetics, toiletries and cleaning products) are managed by the National Industrial Chemicals Notification & Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) (external site)
- Medicines and Medicinal Products (eg prescription and non-prescription drugs, complementary medicines and some medical devices) are managed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) (external site)
- Food additives, contaminants and natural toxicants are managed by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) (external site)