A new project was contracted in July to deliver national leadership to ensure that vegetable, onion and potato growers have access to safe, effective, and export-compliant agrichemicals — against a backdrop of regulatory pressures and growing market demands.

Funded by Hort Innovation using industry R&D levies and led by AUSVEG, the National Agrichemical Management Program (MT24023) is a five-year program, and represents a direct response to urgent threats — including the potential loss of critical chemistries, permit renewals under pressure, and tightening residue rules in international markets.

At the helm is newly appointed National Agrichemical Manager David Daniels, an experienced industry leader with over 20 years of expertise in biosecurity, export compliance, and regulatory systems.

“This project is about protecting the industry’s ability to grow crops, stay productive, and access high-value markets,” David said. “We’re facing a regulatory environment where older chemistries are disappearing and new ones aren’t coming fast enough. We need a coordinated national response — and this project delivers it.”

The program will bring together growers, agronomists, researchers, and the crop protection industry through an Agrichemical Reference Group to ensure the sector’s real-world needs are heard and actioned.

Central to the project will be a strong focus on the Strategic Agrichemical Review Process (SARP) for each crop — vital resources that identify pest and disease challenges as well as the crop protection gap.

There are currently 29 Strategic Agrichemical Review Process (SARP) reports across the vegetable, onion, and potato industries, and many of these are now due for revision. The timing couldn’t be more appropriate, with the recent launch of project MT24023 coinciding with the loss of several key chemistries and a growing number of APVMA chemical reviews.

Under this new project, AUSVEG will support Hort Innovation by coordinating industry input into the SARP updates, ensuring they are informed by current production challenges and driven by real, on-the-ground priorities.

“The SARPs have helped set the agenda for years, but every strategy needs to be accompanied by an action plan,” David said. “We’ll distil key findings, prioritise the most urgent needs, and ensure agvet companies and other solution providers are clearly informed and engaged.”

The regulatory landscape is evolving rapidly, with significant implications for growers. Reviews of critical actives are already underway or scheduled, and further restrictions are likely. The program will assess potential impacts and help identify viable alternatives.

It will also review the current suite of minor use permits — many of which are essential for the industry — and work closely with Hort Innovation and the APVMA to support renewals, data generation, and transitions to label where feasible.

“Many of the sector’s most important permits are vulnerable due to changing classifications and rising data requirements,” David said. “Our job is to make sure those risks are managed and that pathways to long-term solutions are supported.”

With Australian vegetable exports now exceeding $250 million annually, trade compliance is a major focus. The project will monitor international Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for key crops and markets and issue timely alerts to help growers, packers, and exporters stay ahead of emerging risks.

MRL violations can result in shipment rejections, trade bans, and reputational damage. The program aims to reduce that risk by publishing twice-yearly MRL updates and working closely with exporters and testing labs to improve compliance and reporting standards.

Practical support for a stronger future

In addition to technical advice and strategic coordination, the project will deliver targeted communication through AUSVEG’s Weekly Update, Australian Grower magazine, PotatoLink, podcasts, and direct industry engagement. It will also support Hort Innovation by contributing to the review of R&D priorities and identifying investment opportunities aligned with emerging pest and disease risks.

David summed it up simply: “We’re here to make sure the industry doesn’t lose the tools it needs — and to build the case for the next generation of solutions.”

FIND OUT MORE
For more information or to get involved, contact david.daniels@ausveg.com.au