As new pests or diseases are identified, or animals and plants develop resistance to existing technologies, access to safe and effective agricultural and veterinary chemicals becomes critical to the success of our rural industries.
AgChem Priority Access Forum
Increasing access to agricultural chemicals (AgChem) is the focus of the AgChem Access Priorities Forum (Forum), a collaborative process where plant-based Research and Development Corporations (RDCs) and commercial chemical registrants came together to deliver a cross-industry agreed list of priority needs for uses of agricultural chemicals.
Funded by plant-based RDCs and CropLife Australia, the Forum aims to promote information sharing, industry prioritisation and co-investment opportunities for supporting applications for AgChem uses. It was first run in 2015 and since then the annual forum has proven successful in facilitating interaction between the users of AgChem technologies and the businesses that produce them.
The Forum coincides with the Improved Access to Agvet Chemicals initiative managed by Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources. The government-run program funds industry projects to generate sufficient data to support applications to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for AgChem uses.
The process
Each plant-based RDC, in consultation with industry, puts forward the top five pest priorities for which chemical solutions are sought for each crop. Chemical registrants have the opportunity to suggest solutions and comment on options proposed by industry. The Forum facilitates discussion between industry and chemical registrants, where opportunities to improve access to agricultural chemicals can be identified.
Outcome
In 2018, a total of 665 unique pest and disease issues were identified with chemical solutions found for 541 of them. The final agreed list of industry ranked plant priority pest needs are found below.
The next Forum will be held 12-13 June 2019 in Melbourne. The results of this Forum will also be published on the AgriFutures Australia website.
Management and funding partners
The AgChem Access Priorities Forum is only for plant pests and is managed by AgriFutures Australia on behalf of the funding partners. Industry-related queries should be directed to the respective RDC. Growcom Australia has been engaged to facilitate the delivery of the Forums.
AgChem Access Priorities Forum funding contributors:
• AgriFutures Australia
• Horticulture Innovation Australia Ltd
• Grains Research and Development Corporation
• Sugar Research Australia Ltd
• Wine Australia
• Cotton Research and Development Corporation
• Dairy Australia Ltd
• CropLife Australia Ltd
The AgChem Access Priorities Forum was previously known as the AgVet Collaborative Forum.
Contact
Michael Beer
General Manager, Business Development
michael.beer@agrifutures.com.au
