Minor Use News March 2004

MEETINGS:
Jay4 Project Team, Grains Chemical Registration Project - 18th February 2004

Present: Jim Swain Jay 4 Project Team
Kevin Bodnaruk Jay 4 Project Team
John Slatter Jay 4 Project Team
Raj Bhula Manager, Agricultural Residues - APVMA
Alan Norden Senior Evaluator, Pesticides Division - APVMA
Ron Marks Evaluator, Pesticides Division - APVMA

Jay4 is a GRDC funded project with the purpose of identifying and addressing agricultural chemical needs for uses in pulses, oilseeds and cereals.

The APVMA has met formally on an annual basis with the Jay4 Project Team since 2000, to "screen" proposed new use patterns that have been identified through the project. APVMA provide advice to the Project Team on regulatory requirements for each individual use pattern proposed as it may relate to residue, efficacy/crop safety and other relevant legislative criteria. Advice is also provided as to what uses may qualify for a Minor Use Permit or those uses where registration would be required in the case of a major use.

The main aims of the project is to:

1. obtain either a permit or registration for pesticides considered essential for continued sustainable production of pulses, oilseeds and cereals,

2. establish new and maintain existing partnerships with industry groups, the chemical industry, various government agencies and the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) to ensure that registrations or permits are obtained expeditiously and meet all the regulatory and compliance requirements,

3. provide to GRDC and other providers advice and recommendations on the regulatory processes and procedures to be followed in evaluating pesticides,

4. ensure that all potential users of the pesticides are informed of the availability of new registrations and permits when they are approved, and

5. update and prioritise the current list of pesticide uses through liaison with industry groups etc. ensure that all pesticides being used "off-label" are identified and a priority for either the registration or permit is established.

The intention is that the nominated grains industries will be provided with an increased range of pesticides that can legally be used adding to the security of the Australian grain production. GRDC researchers and other providers will be aware of the regulatory requirements and procedures that should be followed to ensure that pesticides being evaluated in their research programs are capable of being approved for that use. That QA programs, such as Graincare and Great Grain, can be implemented with confidence.

The Project team has a website to allow researchers, growers and others within the grains industries to view proposed projects, progress, priority setting and to allow nominations of potential new uses for consideration. Visit the Jay4 website.