APVMA says recalling chemicals up to those who make or sell them

The nation’s agvet regulator is relying on companies that supply chemicals to ensure recalls are completed.

Ryan Milgate, spraying, Minyip. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Chemical companies and resellers are being trusted to advise farmers if there are recalls for veterinary or agricultural products with the government regulator saying it is not its role.

And while there is a similar philosophy from the national food standard authority when there are recalls, states and territory authorities do this, a level which is missing in agvet chemicals.

Food Standards Australia and New Zealand cannot order a recall because it has no enforcement powers, yet recalls are still monitored and enforced.

“These (recall) powers rest with state and territory food authorities who work with food businesses on recalls,” the spokeswoman said.

“The relevant food authority monitors the food business to ensure it is effectively recalling the product.”

Last week, The Weekly Times reported the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority “strongly encouraged” all users of chemicals they should keep up to date about recalls by visiting its website.

“The APVMA strongly encourages holders of agvet chemical registrations, users of agvet chemicals and anyone storing chemicals for commercial or personal use or retail sale to stay up to date with advice from the APVMA by subscribing to APVMA communications,” an APVMA spokesman said.

But it maintains that it is only responsible for part of the recall process.

“Both the APVMA and the product owner – referred to as ‘the holder’ in the relevant legislation – have responsibility for different aspects of the recall process,” the spokesman said.

“As the regulator responsible for the recall of agvet chemicals, the APVMA must publish the recall on its website within two days of notification and gazettal within 14 days.

“The product owner is responsible for notifying consumers of the recall, however, the APVMA will advise product owners of their responsibilities in undertaking the recall and undertake appropriate compliance activity.”

The spokesman said post registration management including use of agvet chemicals was regulated by state and territory authorities.

But they said states and territories “do not enforce or monitor the process of how the product holders recall their products”.

Victorian Farmers Federation grains group vice president Ryan Milgate said it seemed the APVMA wanted to “handball its responsibility”.

“We are talking about recalls of chemicals, that in some cases, residues could affect trade,” Mr Milgate said.

He said while companies and resellers were forced by legislation to notify customers, it may not always happen unless there was someone checking it was done.

“You know yourself if you are not going to get checked, you are a bit more relaxed about things,” Mr Milgate said.

“It is another layer of cost or work if no one is going to follow up.”