ABOUT US > Committees > APVMA CCC > CCC2003
The Australian Pesticides & Veterinary Medicines Association
Community Consultative Committee 2003
Meeting Notes & Minutes CCC26 May 20th
Meeting Notes & Minutes CCC27 July 1st
Meeting Notes & Minutes CCC28 September 16th
Meeting Notes & Minutes CCC29 November 20th
Matters on Which the APVMA is Seeking Committee Input
CCC26 Minutes (Word.doc 68k)
Meeting Notes for CCC26 - 20th May 2003
Issues of importance raised included:
- need for clarity of role in communication/consultation with networks and improved communication/consultation with networks
- increasing the profile of the CCC amongst community groups
- establishing an effective 2-way dialogue between APVMA and the community
- APVMA commitment to providing user friendly information.
- CCC member continuity and gap between meetings.
- a lack of user training especially amongst urban user and hobby farmer groups
- access to chemicals for minor uses
- impact of the registration program on public health and vulnerable sub-groups such as children, the elderly and those with chemical sensitivities
- the need for education of health care professionals in chemical use issues
Specific issues of interest included:
- Spray drift
- GM and antibiotic resistance
- The adverse experience reporting program for pesticides
Four major issues were assigned priority for further consideration and action as part of a CCC Work Program:
1. CCC Effective Communication/Consultation/Feedback
2. Spray drift
3. Adverse Experience Reporting Program (Ag)
4. Review of community input into key APVMA processes
CCC27 Minutes (Word.doc 110k)
Meeting Notes for CCC27 - 1st July 2003
Issues of importance raised included:
- the use of CCA-treated timber is concerning the community, following recent independent tests in Victoria of playground equipment. Farmers and fencing contractors have also expressed concerns.
- higher level risk assessment (QF4) is a problem for farmers, who now need retraining to purchase some products
- the prescribed chemicals scheme
- the continuing use of benomyl fungicide is causing concern in WA
- NTN expressed concerns at APVMA’s dependence on industry analysis and the adherence to old risk assessments in the face of mounting new evidence
- the lack of a register of analytical standards means that a chemical cannot be tested independently, too costly, and industry-funded labs have a monopoly on testing and evaluation.
- the pecuniary interest of industry in risk assessment of their products is also of concern, and NTN is dismayed that company issues of confidentiality over analytical methods may take precedence over public health issues.
- a further consultation period on the AERP Ag was planned, and more discussion.
CCC28 Minutes
Meeting Notes for CCC28 - 16th September 2003
Issues of importance raised included:
- The AERP Ag
The AERP has prompted industry to lobby the Office of Regulatory Review for Risk Impact Statements (RIS), to clarify the cost/benefit impacts on industry of the program.
Liz reported a poor turn-out in NE Victoria at the public meetings to discuss the AERP. She reports a lack of awareness on exposure to agvets among GPs, and believes the NHMRC could fund training. Further, information on what agvets are being used where and when in Australia could be incorporated into a map database to assist GPs and the community in identifying toxic exposures. NTN has been contacting doctors and toxicologists with the aim of establishing an advisory health panel to the AERP. These doctors could also help develop diagnostic guidelines for GPs, and vastly improve the quality of adverse experience reports. Following comments from the CCC, the AERP information package will be redrafted in simpler language. No TV or radio promotion of the scheme is planned until next financial year.
- a draft report will be available at the November meeting on endosulphan
- the current review of CCA-treated timber has drawn a negative reaction from the industries involved, and strong support from the community. However, APVMA do not appear to be considering long-term damage control at this point.
- the reports on 1080 and on atrazine have been delayed until next year.(atrazine and simazine have been recently withdrawn in the US.)
- Ben submitted excellent comments on the Spray Drift Guidelines, and raised the issue of Diuron on Qld sugar cane.
- Andrew raised concerns about over-use of glyphosate, GM and resistance management, and Drum Muster
- Anne raised a further question on analytical standards and what protocols are used to classify them as commercial business information, and AVPMA will clarify the current situation for CCC29.
- Alison suggested APVMA should advise the states on a national standard on agvet chemical training. The Primary Industry Standing Committee (PISC) and the Product Safety & Integrity Commission (PSIC) are reviewing training requirements.
- the APVMA Board and Senator Troeth are looking into new legislation on data protection, and the impact of the US Free Trade Agreement on the availability of chemicals in Australia.
- Andy Nicholls from the SA EPA and the Mt Lofty Ranges Chemical Users Project (CUP) gave an entertaining and impressive demonstration on teaching "lifestylers" and hobby farmers about reducing chemical use, and echoed Andrew's concerns re overuse of glyphosate.
- new guidelines and a review of labelling is underway, with consultation about to start, and a June 2004 deadline. The CCC suggested use of symbols, working with retailers and the states to raise awareness and ensure compliance.Ben will compile CCC responses for the next meeting.
CCC29 Minutes
Meeting Notes for CCC29 - November 20th 2003
Notes courtesy of Ben Cole
Actions arising
APVMA has not received any comment from CCC on labelling changes. Alison Brinson then supplied verbal response. APVMA to provide compilation of all comments to date. All comments are required by Jan 04
Members report
Alison gave 15 minute seminar on her work with Chemcert. Ngo that has been set up by industry for industry, and was developed as they saw that legislation was on the way unless they started some self-regulation. Stressed that state based Chemcert bodies are not keen to see National control. Alison sees the courses as a chance of networking and potential discussion of IPM. Although in the current AQF3 course there is little room for IPM discussion.
Member issues, Committee review
Jenni led the discussion and illuminated three key issues with the ongoing work committee. 1. Need for outsourcing for consultancy work to actively engage in CCC issues, she felt the current level of input from CCC is not providing a full compliment of community concerns.2. Less APVMA input into agenda and more time for discussion of key community issues. 3. Greater focus should be on compliance and chemical review program.
I asked for Jenni to let the board know I thought that their precautionary stance towards CCA was a good step forward. But greater consistency was needed in their policy statements towards sustainable agriculture as a whole ie. If APVMA do not engage in supporting less reliance on chemicals, who will?
AERP Ag
NB: Only will be having one member on the AERP Ag committee that will have experience in chemical illness and injury. This differs from the suggestion made by Anne for a separate panel that reviews all serious health investigations.
APVMA to ensure Anne’s report is sent out much earlier.
Spray drift risk management: David had not had time to respond to comments. But 23 submissions have been received with the key concern stemming around ‘no spray’ zones.
Tim provided a general summary of antimicrobial resistance. Resistance is getting worse particularly between the interaction of veterinary and human health antibiotics. Movement in EU is meaning use of growth promotants in Australia is rapidly declining.
Steve McCutcheon – DAFF
Provided update of Product Safety and Integrity Committee’s response to Ratcliffe and Allen report. 4 key areas
1. Operating environment ie State difference between control of use, compliance and inspection. Will develop set of National outcomes that will ensure state-level practices are audited against the national framework (ready by April ’04)
2. Data collection: DAFF to produce land-use areas and select top few chemicals to be recorded on system (should let Marianne and John know for GIS system development). Some discussion of utilising logistic companies distribution data as large manufacturers insist they do not keep records of resellers sales.
3. Greater education on user education: NSW Agriculture is developing a national model for training.
4. Communication and information: strongest themes in both reports. Need for establishing a national communication strategy.
Response to Anne’s question re: REACH. DAFF have not been engaged in the process but did recognise that the findings will have a huge impact on import and export markets. Also discussed EUROGAP, which is an industry-based set of standards established by large food buyers.
|
