Funding a safer agvet chemical future

Australian Government funding of $2 million will improve farmer access to priority uses of agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemicals to safely and effectively manage pests and diseases.

Deputy Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Policy Matt Lowe said the successful applications to the ninth round of agvet chemical assistance grants announced today would aim to address industry identified priorities.

“Effective agvet chemicals have delivered long-term benefits to Australian agriculture by reducing the damage of weeds, pests and diseases on agricultural and forest production,” Mr Lowe said.

“This has led to increased productivity, better quality produce, more competitive industries, and improved environmental outcomes and these grants are a key contributor to this success.

“The ninth grant round will work to solve current priority issues across a range of plant and animal commodities, such as pigs, finfish, tea tree and wildflowers.

“It will also look at chemical solutions for managing pest and diseases ranging from Japanese encephalitis virus to sclerotinia rot.

“It’s important that Australian farmers continue to see the benefits of having improved access to agvet chemicals that are safe, effective and allow flexibility in on farm pest and disease management.

“It provides peace-of-mind for industry and consumers.”

A combined 238 grants totalling $17.86 million have been awarded under the grants program. To date, the grants program has resulted in 45 new permit uses and 21 new label uses for agvet chemicals.

The grants program forms part of the Australian Governments 11-year $26 million investment to improve access to safe and effective agvet chemicals.

For more information on the Assistance Grants – Access to Industry Priority Uses of Agvet Chemicals program 2023-24 (Round 9), visit:
www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/ag-vet-chemicals/improved-access-agvet-chemicals/agvet-assistance-grants