Understanding and managing impacts of climate change and variability on vegetable industry productivity and profits
20 October 20132013 Potato Growers’ Study Tour – USA & Canada
18 November 2013Small vegetable industries often have their development and productivity hampered by an absence of suitable chemical pest and disease management tools. There are a range of factors which contribute to this lack of suitable options: lack of financial return on investment for chemical manufacturers leading them to not register minor uses; pests developing resistance to current chemistry options; new pests and diseases emerging within the crop; and the need for ‘softer’ chemistry to assist with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices. Determination of these gaps in management tool options took place via industry consultation in project MT10029. Horticulture Australia and the Australian vegetable industry then set about meeting those needs via Project VG12072, with the goal of preparing minor use permit applications covering a range of vegetable crops. These applications were then submitted to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for assessment. The project team researched, collated and submitted information in support of the requested uses to the APVMA. All permit applications were submitted prior to the end of August 2013. To date these applications are still within their statutory timeframes for assessment and no approvals have been granted by the APVMA. It is anticipated that most approvals will be gained by the end of December 2013. This will then enable the relevant vegetable crops to gain access to desired pesticide management tools. Product registration is the preferred method for horticulture crops to gain access to pesticides. However, in certain circumstance, minor use permits are more achievable. These permits are generally issued only for a short period of time (up to 10 years, but more commonly 2 to 3 years). It is recommended that there be suitable provisions in place for their renewal when appropriate. If possible, there should be negotiations with chemical registrants to progress uses to registration so that they are more permanent.