The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has today announced the appointment of the agency’s new Executive Director Science and Assurance, Mr James Deller.
Mr Deller has a national and international reputation for his expertise on residue risk assessment, monitoring and considerations of impacts on trade.
Before joining the APVMA on secondment in March 2026, Mr Deller was Director of the Residue Chemistry, Plant and Business Teams in the National Residue Survey, the Australian Government’s monitoring program for residues of pesticides, veterinary medicines and environmental contaminants in agricultural commodities of export significance.
International engagement is also an area of strength for Mr Deller, through his involvement in OECD working groups as well as CODEX committees on pesticides residues and on residues of veterinary drugs in foods. Jointly formed by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), CODEX committees draft international food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice to protect consumer health and ensure fair global food trade.
The APVMA’s Science and Assurance Branch manages a range of challenging and complex projects and provides critical advice on the safety of agricultural chemicals and veterinary medicines in Australia.
The appointment of Mr Deller as Executive Director Science and Assurance follows a competitive selection process, which attracted a strong field of high-calibre candidates.