APVMA: Review of guidelines for determining a minor use

Date:05-05-2023

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is reviewing its guidelines for determining a minor use, to ensure they remain fit for purpose in a modern regulatory environment.

Minor use permits are issued by the APVMA to allow for the legal use of agricultural and veterinary chemicals in situations where registration of the product would not produce sufficient economic return.

The APVMA has developed guidance to assist applicants in determining whether a particular use can be defined as a minor use. These guidelines were first developed in the early 2000s and have since received minimal updates. As the agricultural landscape has changed over time, crops that were once considered major may now command only a small market share, whereas previously minor crops may have seen a surge in popularity or value.

The APVMA is seeking public feedback on the guidance in its current form and input into factors that should be considered during the update. The closing date for submissions is 15 June 2023. More information on how you can make a submission is available on the APVMA website.

Once the new guidelines are developed, there will be a second round of public consultation and the APVMA will seek feedback on the new guidelines.