On 16 October 2018, the Senate moved that the following matters be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 1 February 2019:
The independence of regulatory decisions made by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), with particular reference to:
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the responsiveness and effectiveness of the APVMA’s process for reviewing and reassessing the safety of agricultural chemicals in Australia, including glyphosate, and how this compares with equivalent international regulators;
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the funding arrangements of the APVMA, comparisons with equivalent agricultural chemical regulators internationally and any impact these arrangements have on independent evidence-based decision making;
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the roles and responsibilities of relevant departments and agencies of Commonwealth, state and territory governments in relation to the regulation of pesticides and veterinary chemicals;
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the need to ensure Australia’s farmers have timely access to safe, environmentally sustainable and productivity enhancing products;
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the impact of the APVMA’s relocation on its capability to undertake chemical reviews in a timely manner; and
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any other related matters.
Submissions should be received by 14 November 2018.