Minor Use News February 2004

New Adverse Experience Reporting Program for Agricultural Chemicals

On 10th December 2003, the APVMA launched the Adverse Experience Reporting Program for Agricultural Chemicals (AERP Ag).

AERP Ag is a quality assurance program established by the APVMA to facilitate responsible management of agricultural chemical products throughout their lifecycle. The aim of the AERP Ag is to ensure that products on the market remain safe, effective, are of acceptable quality and are used in the best possible way, and that instructions and warnings on labels are appropriate.

The purpose of the AERP Ag is to provide the APVMA with feedback about the performance of agricultural chemical products* in the field to:

ensure that registration decisions being made by the APVMA are appropriate and effective, and
promote and maintain public confidence in the APVMA and the National Registration Scheme.

Anyone can report and adverse experience to the APVMA. Members of the public, farmers, agronomists, "bystanders" (ie people who have been exposed to pesticides either directly or indirectly by aerial spraying or ground rig spraying for example or consuming treated produce) and health workers (including doctors, nurses, alternative medicine specialists etc) are encouraged to report any adverse experiences that have occurred after the use of or exposure to pesticides that have been used according to label or APVMA Permit directions to both the APVMA and the product registrant. Such reporting is voluntary.

* The APVMA also operates a similar program for veterinary products.

Further details regarding the programs and how to lodge a report are available from the APVMA website: