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Auditing of agricultural chemical use by local Governments

Agriculture Victoria has audited 23 local Governments and their contractors to assess the level of compliance with the Agricultural and Veterinary (Control of Use) Act 1992. The audits revealed a number of areas for improvement, summarised in the report ‘Auditing of agricultural chemical use by local Governments’.

We encourage local Governments to familiarise themselves with the audit findings, which are relevant to all employees that use any agricultural chemical product or engage contractors to use agricultural chemicals on their behalf.

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Further information, please call 136 186 and ask for your local Chemical Standards Officer.

New guidelines for use of agriculture chemicals

The Chemical Standards team has developed the Engaging contractors for ground-based use of agricultural chemicals, a useful guide to assist land managers in the safe and appropriate use of agricultural chemicals.

Contractors play an important role in the use of agricultural chemicals in primary production and land management.

However, use of these chemicals requires careful management and preparation. The inappropriate or unsafe use of any chemical can be harmful to human health, the environment and livelihoods.

This guide outlines responsibilities and provides tips for land managers to assist in the safe and appropriate ground-based use of agricultural chemicals, which includes spraying and pest animal control (i.e. pest animal baiting and warren fumigation).

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Main Ridge man fined for illegal use of 1080 baits – 20/12/2017

A hobby farmer on the Mornington Peninsula has been fined $9,500 after pleading guilty to using 1080 bait products without a licence and failing to document the required records of use.

The poison 1080, sodium fluoroacetate, can only be used by authorised persons to control vertebrate pests such as rabbits, foxes, wild dogs and feral pigs in Victoria.

Getting the drift on summer weed spraying – 12/12/2017

Now is the time Mallee grain producers start their summer weed control, at the same time local grapevines are at a delicate stage of fruit development.

While summer weed spraying is an important part of agricultural production, off-target spray-drift poses a significant risk to horticultural crops.

Toora man fined for using unregistered chemical baits – 12/12/2017

A Toora landowner has been found guilty of using unregistered, homemade baits to control foxes.

The Korumburra Magistrates' Court was told that during June 2017, Agriculture Victoria Chemical Standards Officers received information following the death of a pet dog, that homemade baits were being laid to control foxes.

New chemical use regulations

The Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Regulations 2017 come into effect on 23 July.

Following a consultative review process which took place in May 2017, the Regulations have been updated to ensure they remain the most effective means of regulating agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemical use in Victoria.

There are a number of changes affecting Victorian agvet chemical users.

Key changes include:

recognition of permits issued to by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) to use 'restricted use' chemicals off-label
introduction of a new offence regarding the possession of certain high risk unregistered chemicals
simpler and more flexible record keeping requirements for agvet chemical users
clearer notification responsibilities for aircraft or mister spraying
additional aerial spraying equipment options for pilots
product labelling and advice notes requirement for veterinary practitioners and stockfeed manufacturers.

More detailed information on the new regulatory changes is available via the following links:

APVMA makes changes to omethoate use

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has made changes to the way products containing omethoate can be legally used in Victoria.

This includes prohibiting the use of omethoate on all food crops and crops fed to food producing animals, as well as a number of other changes.

Chemical users are encouraged to visit and familiarise themselves with these new instructions as they are now legally enforceable.

Updated 1080 and PAPP directions for use

The department has updated the Directions for the Use of 1080 and PAPP Pest Animal Bait Products in Victoria (Directions for Use) following the registration of pest animal bait products containing 4-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) by the APVMA.

The Directions for Use governs the use of 1080 and now PAPP pest animal bait products in Victoria for the purpose of managing the impacts of pest animals on livestock industries and native wildlife.

It emphasises the responsibilities of the 1080 and PAPP user to ensure that any risks associated with the use of 1080 and PAPP pest animal bait products are managed appropriately. The document represents the minimum standards that apply to 1080 and PAPP pest animal bait product use.

The updated Directions for Use has been sent out to all authorised 1080 and PAPP users, along with new Agricultural Chemical User Permit (ACUP) cards with a 1080 and PAPP endorsement for people licensed to use these products.

Persons wishing to become authorised to use PAPP must hold the same qualifications as previously required to obtain authorisation to use pest animal bait products containing 1080.

This includes the successful completion of the 22275VIC Course in Minimising Risks in the Use of 1080 for Vertebrate Pest Control also known as '1080 User Training'.

Commercial Operator Licence (COL) holders with a Vermin destroyers/avicides endorsement are authorised to use PAPP, following completion of the 1080 User Training course.

The introduction of PAPP, follows registration of 1080 capsules for use in ejector devices. The spring loaded ejector devices release the poison capsule into the mouth of the fox or wild dog when it pulls on the ejector bait head. The new PAPP and 1080 products are available from Agsafe 1080 accredited retailers.