Animal Medicines Australia today notes the government’s Detailed response to the final report on future structure and governance arrangements for the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.
The final report captures recommendations made across three reviews of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) and Australia’s agricultural and veterinary chemicals regulatory system undertaken between 2019 and 2023.
The detailed response demonstrates the Government is committed to a modern, fit-for-purpose, science-based and independent agvet chemical regulator that builds public confidence in chemical and food safety.
Australian farmers, veterinarians and pet owners rely on the APVMA to assure them that animal health products and veterinary medicines are safe and effective. We look forward to working with the government to ensure that the APVMA remains an effective, rigorous, independent and efficient regulator of veterinary medicine products,” said Animal Medicines Australia Executive Director, Mr Ben Stapley.
“Animal Medicines Australia are pleased to see that the government has agreed to maintain the APVMA as an independent entity. An independent, science-based, efficient and effective decision maker is essential for confidence in the rigour of the APVMA’s assessments, and its monitoring and compliance activities,” said Mr Stapley.
AMA welcomes the government’s commitment to continued stakeholder engagement, particularly in relation to future funding of the APVMA and the development of future cost-recovery implementation statements. Regular, meaningful engagement with regulated industries and other stakeholders will be key to ensuring positive reform outcomes relating to the regulation of agvet chemical products in Australia.
AMA notes the ‘supported in principle’ recommendation of designing a cyclical registration model for implementation by the future APVMR; “All registered veterinary medicines demonstrate their safety and efficacy prior to being released to the market. As an industry we seek to protect the integrity of timely and responsive post-market monitoring systems for veterinary medicines .
“AMA seeks to ensure that any system applied to animal health products recognises the extensive measures already in place for product safety,” said Mr Stapley.
“APVMA is a critical regulator that supports the health and welfare of Australia’s pets, livestock, horses and other animals under human care. Regular, meaningful engagement with the regulated industry will be critical to positive outcomes in the future,” said Mr Stapley.
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Dr. Katie Asplin, Director – Animal Health Policy and Engagement +61 2 6257 9022