CROPLIFE Australia, the national peak industry organisation for the plant science sector, is warning continued delays in assessment times at the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority may cause a long-term productivity drought for the nation’s farming sector.

The APVMA has offices in Armidale and Canberra.

Delayed access to new agricultural innovation and technologies for the nation’s farmers will set back the productivity and sustainability of Australian agriculture at a time where it has never been more crucial to grow more with less, CropLife says.

In its submission to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into creating a more dynamic and resilient economy, CropLife has called on the APVMA board to take immediate action to avoid a future crisis in food production and international competitiveness.

CropLife Australia CEO Matthew Cossey said farming productivity creates a better Australia for everyone.

“It eases cost of living pressures at the supermarket checkout for Australians and grows our economy,” Mr Cossey said.

“Farmers rely on having access to technologies that support productivity growth. This has allowed Australian agriculture to lead the way in adapting to climate change and reduce pressure on our natural environment without sacrificing food security.”

In its interim report, the Productivity Commission identified that reducing delays in regulatory approval is critical to attracting the investment necessary to drive productivity in the Australian economy.

“On this metric, the APVMA has failed,” said Mr Cossey.

“Current delays in application assessments at the APVMA for CropLife members alone add up to a combined total of nearly 40 years.

“Barely half of the applications for new, innovative crop protection products are being assessed within their mandatory, legislated assessment timeframe, with delays frequently exceeding 18 months for just one application.

“This has left Australia at the back of the queue for new plant science technologies and our farmers at a massive disadvantage.

“The APVMA board has a responsibility to take immediate action and implement the governance to ensure it delivers high regulatory standards and supports investment.

“This includes simple steps like utilising modern software-based assessment tools rather than manual, repetitive models and improving the use of external expert scientific reviewers to increase assessment capacity are long overdue.

“Unfortunately, the APVMA board in its recently released corporate plan has decided to reduce expectations rather than lift the regulator’s efficiency – ignoring statutory timeframes that underpin the predictability required for investment and entrenching a culture of underperformance.

“Given the Federal Government’s stated priority of lifting productivity, it is deeply concerning to see the board position the APVMA as the single biggest barrier to agricultural productivity for Australian farmers.

“It is unfortunate that the greatest inhibitors to productivity in Australian agriculture are some government departments, agencies and regulators.

“On top of the current dismal performance of the APVMA, the Department of Health, Disability and Aged Care is now in its seventh year of what should have been an 18-month process to modernise Australia’s national biotechnology laws.

“Failure to implement the modern risk proportionate model for regulation of biotechnology agreed to back in 2018 has left farmers without the modern crop varieties that would boost productivity, enhance sustainability and deliver affordable food,” concluded Mr Cossey.

CropLife’s stance is echoed by the National Farmers’ Federation, which reiterates it call for better resourcing for APVMA.

The NFF said APVMA’s latest quarterly report shows worrying delays to crucial regulatory processes – just 54.9 per cent of major pesticide application assessments for new products were completed on time.

NFF President David Jochinke said the APVMA needs to be better resourced to avoid the serious impacts of delays on farm productivity.

“AgVet chemicals play a critical role in the production of food and fibre in Australia,” Mr Jochinke said.

“The importance of an efficient, science-based regulatory environment that delivers world-leading access to technology was reaffirmed by NFF members who adopted the NFF’s new AgVet Chemical Policy in May.”

The NFF and its members are calling for a range of straightforward reforms that would enhance access to new products and boost the sector’s productivity.

“The first priority should be ensuring the APVMA is sustainably funded and staffed, to deliver on its statutory obligations,” Mr Jochinke said.

“The Federal Government has given the APVMA a $5.2 million boost this financial year, which we strongly welcome.

“We need long-term solutions to this problem – to that end we’re calling on the government to commit $8 million per year to support the APVMA’s role in regulating and controlling agricultural and veterinary chemicals.

“The current delayed response times are jeopardising crop performance, which harms farmers’ bottom lines.

“The government is looking for ways to boost productivity across the economy – when it comes to agriculture, investing in the APVMA is a simple solution.”

APVMA released its Strategic Plan for 2025-2030 in July.

The plan outlines a “clear purpose to protect the health and safety of people, animals and the environment, and to support primary industries, biosecurity and international trade for all Australians”.

The plan sets out five strategic objectives that will shape the agency’s priorities over the next five years.

Its release coincides with the release of the APVMA Corporate Plan 2025-29.

APVMA chair, Dr Catherine Ainsworth and APVMA CEO, Scott Hansen, reinforced the role of APVMA’s stakeholders in the development of the plan.

“This plan has come together following valuable engagement with our key external stakeholders, including our government partners, industry, peak bodies, and our staff,” Dr Ainsworth said.

“Transparent engagement is an important part of our approach. We recognise that trust is critical to our ability to regulate effectively, and with this we are reshaping how we engage and communicate with the Australian public, our stakeholders and regulated community.

“We will maintain our focus on working closely with domestic and international partners to support the safety and efficacy of agriculture and veterinary chemicals and utilise the full suite of our statutory powers to ensure compliance to protect people, the environment, animals and trade.”

Source: CropLife Media, APVMA Media and NFF Media