{"id":243556,"date":"2019-09-06T22:00:09","date_gmt":"2019-09-06T12:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=243556"},"modified":"2019-09-06T22:33:42","modified_gmt":"2019-09-06T12:33:42","slug":"ag-chemical-laws-to-be-reviewed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2019\/09\/06\/ag-chemical-laws-to-be-reviewed\/","title":{"rendered":"Ag Chemical Laws To Be Reviewed"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Federal Agriculture Minister Senator Bridget McKenzie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

September 6, 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Federal Government will launch an investigation into the regulation of agricultural and veterinary chemicals.<\/p>\n

On Friday, Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie announced an independent panel would be appointed to look into “every facet of agricultural and veterinary chemical regulation from the ground up.”<\/p>\n

The Minister said the panel’s terms of reference was very broad to allow them to explore any matter they considered relevant.<\/p>\n

“A 21st century agriculture sector demands a 21st century regulatory framework,” she said.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Minister said the panel would be chaired by Mr Ken Matthews AO, former Chair and CEO of the Australian National Water Commission.<\/p>\n

He will be supported by three expert panel members: Dr Craig Suann, Dr Mary Corbett and Dr Anne Astin PSM.<\/p>\n

“Together, the panel members have a wealth of experience in regulation, agricultural production, veterinary medicines and human health,” the Minister said.<\/p>\n

“The independent review will tell us a lot about how we can modernise our agricultural and veterinary chemical regulatory framework, and safely improve farmer and community access to agvet chemical products.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“This is a significant opportunity to streamline the agvet chemical regulatory framework so farmers can get on with the job of farming.”<\/p>\n

The panel will work with a formal consultative group comprising representatives from chemical companies, farming industry groups and non-government organisations.<\/p>\n

Members of the public will also have a chance to make submissions.<\/p>\n

The review panel is expected to report back no later than February 2021.<\/p>\n