Australia
October 11, 2012
Canberra played host to a national Chemical Regulation Forum yesterday, with growers and supply chain members alike gathering to take part in the first meeting of its kind, which provided a platform to discuss issues surrounding the control of chemical use in the vegetable industry.
The Forum, held at Rydges Capital Hill, was organised by AUSVEG, the National Peak Industry Body representing Australia’s 9,000 vegetable and potato growers.
“Crop protectants play a huge role in horticulture in controlling both pests and diseases, and significant costs to a business’ bottom-line can be attributed to these treatments. This is why it is so important to provide information and open discussion on such a vital issue for the industry,” said AUSVEG National Marketing Manager, Simon Coburn.
“Without access to affordable crop protectant treatments, many horticulturalists would find it impossible to grow produce efficiently due to losses caused by pests and diseases,” said Mr Coburn.
An impressive line-up of speakers were enlisted for the forum, with presentations from representatives of: the Attorney-General’s Department, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), AKC Consulting, Horticulture Australia, and CropLife, the peak industry organisation representing the agricultural chemical and biotechnology sector of Australia.
“We ensured there were a range of presentations from people in various fields connected to agricultural chemical use in order to give delegates a broad range of information and an opportunity to share knowledge,” said Mr Coburn.
“The wealth of expertise seen at this forum provided a unique opportunity for attendees to not only learn about - but contribute to - the important area of chemical regulation,” said Mr Coburn.
The forum included a presentation from the Attorney-General’s Department about some of the important security considerations surrounding agricultural chemicals.
Also discussed were the upcoming changes proposed regarding treatment residue limits on produce.
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