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APVMA CCC E-Bulletin Issue 4 February 2005
This e-bulletin is produced by the APVMA's Community Consultative Committee
Welcome to the APVMA Community E-bulletin produced by the APVMA Community Consultative Committee (CCC). The CCC is made up of nine individuals who represent a diverse range of community interests including public health, consumers and environmental groups. The CCC is the community's link to the APVMA.
This newsletter is produced to provide members of the community with regular updates on the committee’s work. It also gives details of issues on which the APVMA is seeking community input or comment.
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Contents
1. Chemical container management
2. CCC
review of the chemical review program
3. Adverse
experience reporting program for pesticides
4. Other
issues
5. Committee
business
1. Chemical container management
The committee is focusing on improving the safe and effective handling and disposal of chemical containers as well as improving the content and durability of product labels.
The committee has begun seeking information from AvCare, Drummuster, State and Territory departments and regulatory agencies, farmer and user groups, and local government in relation to safe and effective container design, disposal and labelling. Following feedback on the success of the Canadian scheme the committee will be seeking further information about it. Once the information gathering phase is complete the CCC will prepare an issues paper.
Click here to view a summary of feedback to date.
Tell us your concerns about chemical containers
The CCC has now completed its review of the APVMA’s chemical review program. Recommendations include: more accessible and targeted communication with community stakeholders; trialling alternate models of engaging with the community; goals on timelines should be set and reported on; exploration of ways to make greater use of overseas data; a benchmarking exercise to identify whether and why Australia is lagging behind overseas developments.
Click here to view the full recommendations paper.
Check out the CCC Chemical Review Discussion Paper
Make a comment about the chemical review process
3. Adverse experience reporting program for pesticides
Despite the significant promotional activities in relation to the AERP Ag including the distribution of more than 100 letters to farmer organizations, health and community groups the CCC remains concerned about the low level of community and user group knowledge of the program, and the lack of a specified budget for promotion.
The committee suggested that:
· the APVMA should not rely solely on producer organizations to disseminate information to growers.
· the APVMA explore the possibility of Chemcert and other training organisations including information about AERP Ag in training materials.
· people who are chemically sensitive could be disheartened by processes underlying the APVMA’s response to their reports.
Two case studies on product efficacy were presented to the meeting.
Have your say about the AERP Ag
Learn more about the Adverse Experience Reporting Program (Ag)
CCA
Assessment of submissions in response to the draft report has been completed. The APVMA is now developing the regulatory framework, in particular for the new label instructions. Recent legislative change now requires the APVMA to have before it a new, varied label before it can finalise a review. The development of the label instructions as well as the requirement to have copies of printer’s proofs or marked labels will mean that the review is unlikely to be finalised until early 2005. Some OH&S data will be sought on downstream pollution at a future date, but this will not affect finalisation of the review. Attention is being given to the building codes in various states, to phase out domestic uses.
Learn more about the CCA Review
Virginiamycin
The APVMA has cancelled the use of virginiamycin has a growth promotant, and therapeutic uses have been limited to a once off 28 day period for cattle and sheep and a once off 21 day period for poultry.
Learn more about the virginiamycin review.
Liquid
fertiliser used as carriers/diluents for pesticides
CCC members are concerned about the use of liquid fertilisers as carriers for pesticides. The APVMA has agreed to take the matter up with its Registration Liaison Committee, including whether statements about the suitability of such practices should be included on approved labels. A summary of advice from the APVMA Chemistry and Residues program was tabled at the meeting. The committee stressed the importance of clear instructions to users of pesticides in relation to whether or not liquid fertilisers could be used as carriers/diluents.
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
A great deal is unknown about MCS and the specific risks associated with pesticides and veterinary medicines compared to environmental or other chemicals. A medical expert will address the next meeting about the issue and the Office of Chemical Safety will also be invited to speak about its current review of the available evidence in relation to MCS, and human health risk assessment models and protocols.
Precautionary principle
This principle is regularly discussed by the committee. DAFF was invited to give the Government’s perspective on the application of the precautionary principle in relation to the regulation of pesticides and veterinary medicines. Government policy is not defined in terms of the precautionary principle, rather a science-based conservative approach underpins risk assessment and risk management regimes.
Product
Safety and Integrity Committee NGO workshop
In August 2004 the Committee wrote to DAFF expressing disappointment at the limited community participating in its Product Safety and Integrity Committee stakeholder consultations. We suggested the lack of resourcing for community involvement may be an issue. In reply DAFF noted it was committed to an effective and inclusive consultative process but that current policy did not provide funding for community participation. The matter was taken up with DAFF who attended the last CCC meeting. DAFF noted a review of the funding policy could be considered.
Aerial spraying in Tasmania
The committee is continuing to monitor developments in the wake of the the December 2003 helicopter crash and chemical spill in NE Tasmania
It has sought a response from the APVMA in relation to a number of issues raised by the community in relation to various agvet chemicals used by the forestry industry.
Click here for the Scammell report
DAFF update
DAFF updated the committee on the Data Protection regime which began on January 2005 and the new cost recovery arrangements.
Find out more about Data Protection
Work program and next meeting
Chemical container management and finalisation of the review of the chemical review program will remain the focus for the CCC during the coming year.
The next meeting of the CCC is being held on 3 March 2005.
Member issues
At each CCC meeting members are invited to highlight areas of concern related to the management of pesticides and veterinary medicines. The following are some of the issues that have been raised by members:
· ongoing concern about traceability of pesticides by batch number at retail level and container durability
· ban on the use of CCA treated products by Victorian Government workers unless there is a risk assessment carried out
· minor users are satisified with the revised Cost Recovery Impact Statement
· finding residue analysis work as part of industry development quite challenging
· ongoing interest in the restrictions on ammonium nitrate and the impact of the hydroponics industry
· ongoing concern with pesticide drum disposal and the effect on real estate especially with regards potential for organic use
· problems with notification of pesticide application for plague locusts and the effect on mobile bee hive operations
Contact the committee