Animal Medicines Australia (AMA) has welcomed the federal government’s commitment to maintaining the independence of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
The announcement follows the government’s detailed response to a report examining future governance arrangements for the APVMA, which oversees Australia’s regulatory framework for agricultural and veterinary chemicals.
Ben Stapley, Executive Director of AMA, expressed confidence in the APVMA’s future, highlighting its role in assuring the safety and efficacy of animal health products for farmers, veterinarians, and pet owners.
“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.”
The government’s response reaffirms its commitment to a “modern, fit-for-purpose, science-based and independent agvet chemical regulator that builds public confidence in chemical and food safety.”
In addition to pledging the APVMA’s independence, the government has agreed to engage with stakeholders on future funding structures and cost-recovery implementation, recognising the importance of industry consultation in regulatory reform.
“Animal Medicines Australia is 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,” Stapley added.
AMA also noted the government’s support for a cyclical registration model for veterinary medicines, designed to further enhance product safety through ongoing monitoring and compliance.
“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,” Stapley said, emphasising the importance of recognising existing safety measures.
Describing the APVMA as a “critical regulator” for animal welfare, Stapley underscored the necessity of consistent, transparent engagement with the industry to ensure positive outcomes in the regulation of agvet chemical products across Australia.
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