Recommendation 1
6.21 The Committee recommends that the Australian
Government undertakes a comprehensive scoping study on the need for regulatory
scientists across Australian Government agencies. The scoping study should
consider:
- the current
educational, training and work experience environment for regulatory
scientists;
- the likely future
demand for regulatory scientists and the skills and competencies they will
require; and
- the findings of the
Environmental Health Standing Committee (enHealth) on the need for regulatory
scientists.
6.22 In undertaking this study, relevant educational
and training bodies, and Australian Government agencies, should be consulted as
required.
Recommendation 2
6.23 The Committee recommends that the Australian
Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority works closely with the Australian
education sector to identify and expand integrated learning opportunities that
would provide science graduates with experience in regulatory environments.
Recommendation 3
6.29 The Committee recommends that the Australian
Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority progresses, as a matter of
priority, the development and implementation of a robust quality control
framework and a fit for purpose workflow management system.
Recommendation 4
6.30 The Committee recommends that the Australian
Government takes into consideration the disruption caused by the forced
relocation of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
(including the ongoing impact on staff capability and capacity), and
prioritises a fit-for-purpose and stable workforce over any decentralisation
policy.
Recommendation 5
6.39 The Committee recommends that the Australian
Government confirms its ongoing support for the Improved Access to Agricultural
and Veterinary Chemicals Initiative and provides sufficient funding for the
initiative over the forward estimates to ensure its continued operation.
Recommendation 6
6.40 The Committee recommends that the Australian
Government commissions an independent assessment of the impact of regulatory
costs on the registration of minor use chemicals, with a view to obtaining
evidence that would inform policy and consider the availability of minor use
chemicals in Australia.
Recommendation 7
6.50 The Committee recommends that the Australian
Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority consults with key stakeholders to
establish a formal mechanism for ongoing liaison and discussion. The forum
should develop clear terms of reference which set out its working arrangements,
and the minutes of each meeting should be recorded and made public in a timely
manner.
Recommendation 8
6.65 The Committee recommends that the Australian
Government develops and implements a national strategic plan for agricultural
and veterinary pest-control innovation, which addresses Australian specific
environmental conditions and pests.
Recommendation 9
6.76 The Committee recommends that the Department of
Agriculture and Water Resources and the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary
Medicines Authority undertake a formal study of the United Kingdom Pesticides
Forum and the United States Environmental Protection Agency Pesticide Program
Dialogue Committee with the aim of establishing a similar forum for the
Australian regulatory environment.
Navigation: Previous Page | Contents | Next Page