Australia APVMA wraps up 2020–21 with performance high

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has finished 2020–21 with a performance high, finalising 94% of product, active and permit applications within timeframe, ahead of the 88% recorded in 2019–20.

This included significant improvements in overall timeframe performance for:

• pesticides applications, increasing from 92% in 2019–20 to 99% in 2020–21

• veterinary medicines applications, up from 89% in 2019–20 to 99% in 2020–21

• active constituent applications, increasing from 85% in 2019–20 to 96% in 2020–21.

The APVMA also demonstrated improvements in timeframe performance for major applications, with:

• 97% of applications requiring major assessment for pesticides completed within timeframe, up from 81% in 2019–20.

• 94% of applications requiring major assessment for veterinary medicines completed within timeframe, increasing from 78% in 2019–20.

The percentage of permit applications completed within timeframe decreased from 81% in 2019–20 to 74% in 2020–21. This was attributed to the APVMA dedicating more resources to support the timely processing of emergency use permits in response to pest incursions, including mice and fall armyworm.

APVMA Chief Executive Officer, Ms Lisa Croft, praised the efforts of APVMA staff for delivering continued improvements in timeframe performance to ensure Australians were provided with timely access to agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemical products.

“Australian producers have faced many challenges this past year, including the continued effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, drought and outbreaks of mice, fall armyworm, khapra beetle and fruit fly.

“The APVMA has worked diligently to ensure the timely introduction of safe and effective agvet chemical products to the Australian market, as well as prioritising the issuing of emergency permits to support producers throughout the outbreaks of these pests.”

View the 2020–21 performance overview and June quarter 2021 performance report.