The Coalition Government has extended the Improved Access to Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals program by a further twelve months.
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, David Littleproud said the extension would benefit Australian farmers and research corporations through access to safe and effective AgVet chemical solutions that manage priority pest and diseases.
"The $2.4 million investment will extend the Australian Governments' existing $14.3 million investment to improve access to safe and effective chemicals," Minister Littleproud said.
"Research and Development Corporations will receive $2 million in funding through the grants component of the program.
"The grants assist smaller industries that currently find it difficult to gain access to AgVet chemical products because it may not be considered as profitable for chemical companies to register uses in such industries."
Minister Littleproud said Australian farmers would benefit from the extension through improved access to priority AgVet chemicals, provide greater flexibility to farmers to treat pests and diseases.
"Agricultural and veterinary chemicals are critical to Australian agriculture and have brought long-term benefits by reducing the effects of weeds, pests and diseases on agricultural and forestry production," Minister Littleproud said.
"This has led to increased productivity, better quality produce, more competitive industries and improved environmental outcomes.
"The extension will continue to improve the productivity of Australian farmers by providing access to priority AgVet chemicals required to manage pests and diseases.
"ABARES found that the average return to industry for a dollar invested through this program was $117! Its returns on investment like that which will help us reach our $100 billion dollar target for the value of agriculture by 2030."
Fast facts
- A recent report released by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, which reviewed 15 previously funded grant projects over a 20 year timespan, estimated an average return to industry of $117 per grant dollar invested, or an average of $17 million per project.
- To date, 171 grants totalling $9.86 million have been awarded under the grants program. To date, the grants program has resulted in 32 new permits and five new label uses for minor use agvet chemicals.
- Agvet chemicals sold in Australia must be authorised by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), via registration or permit.
