Key outcomes of the APVMA Board of Directors - Meeting APVMA 17 Canberra 20 December 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.

Meeting: APVMA17 – CANBERRA – 20 December 2005

APVMA17 was the first formal meeting of the new Board of Directors. The new Board comprises several Directors appointed for the first time: Mr Claude Gauchat, Mr Steve McCutcheon, Mr Wayne Cornish and Mr John Mollison. They join Dr Kevin Sheridan (Chairman), Dr Lyn Fragar (Deputy Chair), Dr Catherine Hollywell, Ms Mara Bu’n and Mr Hutch Ranck who have all been re-appointed. All of the Directors were appointed by Senator Colbeck for terms ending on 15 October 2008.

In accordance with APVMA governance practice, the meeting authorised procedures to give effect to decisions made by the Board, appointed the Board Audit Committee and affirmed existing financial and operational delegations. Directors will be further briefed on arrangements underpinning the exercise of delegated powers at their February 2006 meeting.

The Board also confirmed its meeting schedule for 2006 as follows:

APVMA18 Canberra Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 February 2006
APVMA19 Western Australia Monday 3, Tuesday 4, Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 April
APVMA20 Canberra Thursday 8 June
APVMA21 Melbourne Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 August
APVMA22 South Australia Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 October
APVMA23 Canberra Thursday 30 November

CHEMICAL REVIEWS

There were no chemical reviews considered at APVMA17, however, Directors were briefed in relation to the virginiamycin litigation currently proceeding in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

OTHER OUTCOMES

Board Strategic Planning 2006-09

The Board noted draft concepts and stakeholder feedback on strategic issues for the 2006-09 Corporate Plan, which would be further developed at a Board Planning Day to be held in February 2006.

Update on ANAO Performance Audit of APVMA

The Australian National Audit Office’s (ANAO) performance audit of the APVMA formally commenced on 5 December. The overall objective is to assess whether the APVMA is performing its key regulatory functions efficiently and effectively. The Board noted that all aspects of the ANAO audit are considered audit-in-confidence. It is anticipated the report will be finalised for tabling in Parliament in late 2006.

Update on Uhrig Review of Corporate Governance Arrangements

The APVMA’s corporate governance framework is currently being reviewed in line with recommendations of the Uhrig Report. Senior officers from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry briefed the Board on progress of the review, which is scheduled for completion early in 2006.

Review of APVMA Consultative Committees

The Board considered the proposed outcomes of the APVMA review of its consultative committees. Directors deferred a final decision pending further consideration of ways to strengthen communication links with farmers and other chemical users.

Community Consultative Committee Briefing

Ms Jenni Mack, Chair of the APVMA’s Community Consultative Committee (CCC) briefed the Board on the progress of the CCC’s work program. The Committee continues to take a close interest in the Adverse Experience Reporting Program as well as progressing work on container and labelling aspects for pesticides and veterinary medicines and contributing community input to APVMA review and minor use activities.