This is a final research report from Hort Innovation’s historical archives. Please note that as these reports may date back as far as the 1990s, the content and recommendations within them may be superseded by more recent research.

What was it all about?

Dealing with regulation was an ongoing issue for Australian horticulture. From a farm chemicals perspective industries were grappling with such matters as gaining and maintaining access to suitable pest management options, e.g., chemical reviews and increasing data requirements, manufacturer lack of interest, resistance, increasing interest in integrated pest management compatible chemicals, and ensuring compliance in export markets due to differing standards potentially impacting on trade. In order to more efficiently deal with the variety of demands posed by these challenges industry had to be more proactive in identify emerging issues and seeking to develop appropriate responses.

To help industries deal with the many farm chemical related issues Hort Innovation (which was then Horticulture Australia Limited), in partnership with industry funded Kevin Bodnaruk of AKC Consulting Pty Ltd, to act as a co-ordinator to ensure that such issues were brought to the attention of horticultural industries, that they were given adequate information and provided with an opportunity to consider and respond accordingly.

Key outcomes were improved information flow to and from horticultural industry stakeholders, increased engagement by industry, good quality submissions to regulators on behalf of industry groups and a greater level of horticulture representation at regulatory fora such as Codex and APVMA committees.