At the time of this edition of Australian Grower, the National Agrichemical Management Program (MT24023) reaches its first 12 months of delivery. The project is funded by Hort Innovation, using the vegetable, onion and potato research and development levies and contributions from the Australian Government. It was established with a clear objective — to help ensure Australian growers retain access to effective, practical crop protection tools in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.

While we’ve spent much of the past 12 months catching up, the longer-term goal is to get ahead — identifying and addressing issues before they become problems. That starts with input from growers and agronomists to help pinpoint challenges and explore practical solutions. While our messaging over the past year may have seemed repetitive, it highlights the need for industry leaders to clearly understand what is at threat so we can prepare for the future. Now is the time to share your challenges and ideas. There’s no time like the present.

The challenges

Growers and agronomists across Australia don’t need to be reminded that the agrichemical toolbox is shrinking at a rapid pace. Active ingredients are being withdrawn faster than new products are being approved. Over the past 12 months, only one new active has received regulatory approval and been brought to market for vegetable producers. Most new registrations are merely post-patent companies registering generic versions of existing products, offering little in the way of innovation or meaningful advancement for the industry.

Update on APVMA finalised chemical reviews

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) continues to progress its program of chemical reviews — perhaps at a rate of knots that makes many in the industry more than just a little uncomfortable.

Several important reviews have recently been finalised, and many more are currently underway or scheduled to commence in the coming years. While it’s difficult to forecast the outcome of any review, especially those still several years from completion, one thing is clear — a large portion of the older, widely used chemistry in horticulture is now under serious scrutiny. It’s important to recognise that no review has ever resulted in expanded access to crop protectants.

This regulatory uncertainty presents a timely opportunity for growers, agronomists, and crop protection providers to start thinking more strategically about the future of pest and disease management.

Whether it’s through exploring alternative chemistries, reassessing IPM programs, or trialling new technologies, planning ahead will be key to maintaining productivity and resilience.

We’ve taken a look across the agrichemical toolbox for the crops we represent and matched this up with the list of chemical reviews from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.

Below is a snapshot of the reviews most relevant to the vegetable, onion and potato sectors, covering recent decisions, reviews currently underway, and actives flagged for future consideration.

Where it helps, we’ve included some product names, not as endorsements, but simply so growers can quickly recognise what’s being referred to.

• Chlorpyrifos (Lorsban®)
  Australia joined a long list of countries in effectively banning chlorpyrifos on 30 September 2025.
• Diazinon (Accensi®)
  All approved uses on vegetables were cancelled on 10 September 2025.
• Chlorthal-Dimethyl (Dacthal®)
  All approved uses on vegetables were cancelled on 10 October 2024, with no phase-out period.

The loss of these actives is creating clear gaps in pest management programs, with few practical or effective alternatives currently available. In many cases, growers are being forced to rely more heavily on a smaller number of remaining options, increasing the risk of resistance and placing additional pressure on already stretched production systems.

Reviews currently underway

The APVMA is currently reviewing 21 active constituents. Of these, the following are particularly relevant to the vegetable, onion and potato sectors:

Neonicotinoids

Clothianidin (Samurai®) Imidacloprid (Confidor®), Thiamethoxam (Actara®), Acetamiprid

Decisions on each of these chemistries will be published separately, with proposed regulatory decisions now expected to be released progressively before October 2026.

Diquat, Paraquat (Sprayseed®)

The APVMA commenced its review of diquat and paraquat (known to many growers as SpraySeed®) in 1995 and released proposed regulatory decisions in July 2024. The findings indicated that many current use patterns in orchards, vineyards and broadacre systems are not considered environmentally acceptable. While some uses in vegetable production remain supported, certain applications in row crops and market garden systems are also under scrutiny. Following a substantial volume of public submissions, the APVMA has extended the timeline for its final decision to mid-2026. While the outcome remains uncertain, there is limited confidence within the plant science community that these actives will retain their current use patterns. Based on regulatory trends internationally, it is likely that Australia will move toward significant restrictions, if not a full phase-out, of both diquat and paraquat.

Fipronil (Regent®)

A review of fipronil has been underway since 2002 and remains in the assessment phase. The proposed regulatory decision is now overdue and, at the time of writing (April 2026), is expected imminently. While the outcome is difficult to predict, there are significant concerns around the potential loss of this active, particularly for the control of soil and surface pests such as weevils, crickets and wireworms in certain crops.

Future reviews

A number of actives are either scheduled for future review or have been flagged due to various reasons. This includes a range of insecticides, fungicides and herbicides that are widely used across vegetable production systems.

For many of these, it is important that we begin considering alternative options now, rather than waiting for regulatory outcomes.

What are we doing?

Given the pace of change, the program is taking a short-, medium- and long-term approach to maintaining access to crop protection tools. Where unforeseen and urgent issues arise, provisions exist to allow the emergency use of chemicals not currently permitted by label. These are, however, generally reserved for genuine emergencies, such as the incursion of exotic pests, and typically only provide a short-term solution. In 2025, the program successfully secured an emergency use permit for fluazinam (Emblem®) to help manage the spread of potato mop-top virus following its detection in Tasmania. Work is now underway to engage with a registrant and progress a pathway towards a full label claim.

For the medium-term, minor use permits remain a critical tool for maintaining access to crop protection products where no suitable registered options exist. They allow growers to address immediate gaps in pest, disease and weed control, particularly in smaller or emerging crops where full registration is unlikely to be commercially viable. However, permits are not a long-term solution. The APVMA is placing increasing scrutiny on renewals, with greater emphasis on supporting data and clear justification of need.

As a result, the program is focused on securing and maintaining permits where appropriate, while also using them as a pathway toward more sustainable, long-term registration outcomes. Hort Innovation maintains a dedicated minor use team for horticulture, working closely with AUSVEG to develop the technical justification required for permit renewals. Over the past 12 months, 38 permits have been renewed, covering more than 100 crop situations, with a further 21 permits currently in progress.

It’s not just about permits. The program is underpinned by a longer-term strategy, with 28 Strategic Agrichemical Review Process (SARP) reports developed across the vegetable, onion and potato sectors. These SARPs clearly identify the key pest, disease and weed challenges, along with the priorities and opportunities for future investment.

The challenge now is to distil these priorities, working closely with industry leaders, and translate them into clear, investable opportunities.

This includes engaging with chemical companies to align industry needs with commercial pathways, ultimately supporting new registrations and more sustainable long-term solutions.

What we need from you

A program like this is only as strong as the input it receives from industry. Growers, agronomists and advisors are often the first to identify emerging issues, whether it’s a pest becoming harder to control, a product losing effectiveness, or a gap where no suitable options exist. While identifying issues is important, proposed solutions are equally valuable. Whether it’s a potential alternative product, a use pattern, or an idea worth exploring, this input helps ensure effort is directed where it can deliver real outcomes. If there are key gaps or actives you rely on that are at risk, let us know. Early warning is critical.

FIND OUT MORE
For more information or to get involved, contact
National Agrichemical Manager, David Daniels
david.daniels@ausveg.com.au | 0402 270 554 | 03 9882 0277