Key outcomes of the APVMA Board of Directors - Meeting APVMA 16, Melbourne, 7 October 2005

Disclaimer: The website version of APVMA Board meeting outcomes is not a complete or official record of the decisions taken by the APVMA Board and does not provide full details of those decisions. The official record of decisions is contained within the confidential Minutes and Resolutions of each meeting of the APVMA Board of Directors.

CHEMICAL REVIEWS

Fenthion

The Board noted and agreed to release the Preliminary Findings Report of the review of fenthion (Part 1 non-food producing situations) for a period of three-months public comment.

Fenthion is an organophosphorus pesticide that was originally placed under review by the APVMA on the basis of toxicological, worker safety, environmental and residue concerns. The review has proceeded in two parts while awaiting provision of residues data for food-producing uses.

Carbon Disulfide

The Board considered and agreed to release the Final Review Report and Regulatory Decision for carbon disulfide.

The review of carbon disulfide originally included two registered products, one being a grain fumigant and the other for feral pig control. Registration of the grain fumigant was cancelled voluntarily in December 2004 and thereafter the review proceeded in relation to the feral pig control product only.

Based on the review assessment, the decisions reached by the APVMA Board includes:

· affirming the registration of the feral pig control product
· varying the current approved product label to include adequate use instructions to meet the requirements for continued label approval
· noting that a permit will be issued for a period of two years to allow use of carbon disulfide products bearing previously approved labels.

The Final Review Report and Regulatory Decision can be found at apvma.gov.au/chemrev/carbon_disulfide_final_review_report.pdf

Methidathion

The Board agreed to extend the scope of the methidathion review to examine worker safety, residue and dietary risk concerns. The Board noted that the product Farmoz Suprathion 400EC Insecticide (55599) was registered after the methidathion review had started and agreed to formally include that product in the review.

OTHER OUTCOMES

Briefing by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO)

Mr Alan Greenslade, Executive Director, Performance Audit Services Group of the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) briefed Directors on the ANAO’s role, background preparations, methodology and possible areas of interest for the upcoming audit of the APVMA. Mr Greenslade advised that scoping work is nearing completion which will enable the audit to commence in November 2005. He anticipated that the ANAO report will be tabled in Parliament around August 2006.

Animal Welfare

The formation of an APVMA/DAFF Animal Welfare Liaison Team was noted by Directors as well as the APVMA’s participation and input to the September 2005 meeting of the National Consultative Committee on Animal Welfare and an Australian Animal Welfare Strategy workshop.

Revision of Manufacturing Principles and Code of Good Manufacturing Practice for Veterinary Chemical Products

Management advised the Board that public comment had been incorporated into the draft revised Manufacturing Principles and Code of Good Manufacturing Practice for Veterinary Chemical Products, and that the final Regulation Impact Statement had been approved by the Office of Regulation Review. The Board approved the implementation of the revised Principles and Code.

Audit Committee Annual Report 2004-05

The Board noted the 2004-05 annual report of the APVMA Audit Committee covering performance in accordance with the responsibilities detailed in the Audit Committee Charter.

Future APVMA Board Meetings

The first meeting of the new Board of Directors is now scheduled for Tuesday 20 December 2005 in Canberra.

In closing the meeting, Dr Sheridan expressed his gratitude to the outgoing members of the Board: Professor Jock McLean, Mrs Anne Story, Mr Tony Bates and Dr Gardner Murray, for their valuable contributions and support during their terms as Directors.