GRAIN Producers South Australia (GPSA) has strongly urged the Federal Government to undertake a comprehensive economic and environmental impact assessment after the release of any future preliminary recommendations by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) when reviewing agricultural chemicals, such as paraquat and diquat. 

The proposed process has been put forward as part of GPSA’s submission to the APVMA’s review of paraquat and diquat, to ensure any impacts of review decisions can be mitigated by the Federal Government prior to implementation, and without impacting the independence of the national chemical regulator. Economic and environmental impacts are outside of the APVMA’s remit. 

GPSA chief executive officer Brad Perry said the proposed decision to reduce paraquat and diquat use to ineffective levels will have significant economic and environmental outcomes unable to be considered under the APVMA’s remit. 

“It’s critical that we maintain the independence of the APVMA, but the Federal Government needs access to information relating to the potential impacts from the APVMA’s decisions so that it can mitigate them, where possible,” he said. 

“GPSA’s submission highlights that there are currently no viable alternatives to paraquat and diquat and the proposed restrictions will likely see the return of tillage in South Australia – the driest state in the nation – creating significant environmental and economic challenges. 

“While GPSA wholeheartedly supports regulatory measures to ensure the safe use of agricultural chemicals, any restrictions must be balanced with the practical needs of grain producers who rely on these products for sustainable farming practices. 

“Paraquat and diquat are indispensable tools for South Australian grain producers. These chemicals play a crucial role in weed management, especially in no-till farming systems. A reduction in their use would push growers back towards more intensive tillage practices, undoing decades of progress in soil conservation, reducing biomass and retained moisture levels. 

“We’ve written to the Federal Agriculture Minister (Julie Collins) and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) urging immediate investment into exploring and accelerating alternatives to paraquat and diquat as the APVMA reviews public submissions on its proposed restrictions to these key farming chemicals.” 

The APVMA’s proposed restrictions on paraquat and diquat have raised significant concerns among South Australian grain producers, particularly in relation to their ability to manage herbicide resistance. 

In a survey conducted by GPSA, an overwhelming 96 per cent of respondents indicated that the proposed restrictions on paraquat would have a significant negative impact on their operations.

dditionally, 100 per cent of growers surveyed reported no observed impact on wildlife from their use of paraquat and diquat. 

Mr Perry highlighted the risk of unintended consequences if restrictions are implemented without fully assessing their impact on the grain industry. 

“These chemicals are integral to the double-knock strategy, which is vital for controlling glyphosate-resistant weeds,” he said. 

“If growers lose access to these tools, they will face increased costs, lower yields, and a return to practices that are detrimental to soil health.” 

GPSA’s submission to the APVMA calls for: 

• Higher-tier risk assessments that reflect local agricultural conditions and usage patterns to ensure balanced regulatory decisions. 
• Extended consultation periods to allow sufficient time for industry feedback and the exploration of viable alternatives. 
• Federal Government involvement to conduct a broader economic and environmental impact study, similar to previous assessments that have highlighted the critical role of paraquat in Australian agriculture. 

“Our growers are committed to sustainable farming and using chemicals responsibly,” Mr Perry said. 

“We need a regulatory approach that acknowledges their efforts and puts in place measures to ensure these decisions do not jeopardise the viability of grain production in South Australia.” GPSA will continue to work with the APVMA, the Federal Government, and industry partners to ensure that any regulatory changes are based on robust, locally relevant scientific evidence that considers the economic sustainability of South Australia’s grain industry. 

To read the full GPSA submission to the APVMA, visit the website (www.grainproducerssa.com.au).