Summary

The selective use of pesticides to control diseases, insects and weeds plays an important role in increasing production, enabling growers to manage a complex biological system, improving the quality of agricultural produce and enabling growers to earn improved returns on their investments.

The challenge currently faced by many small industries is:
• Limited knowledge of how to access permits,
• Limited funds,
• No forum to voice their needs,
• Poor access to agchem manufacturers for support, and
• Sometimes a lack of cohesion within their own industries.

The aim of the project is to provide appropriate pesticide information and advice to RIRDC industries to address existing and future disease, insect or weed problems. All pesticide selections should reflect Good Agricultural Practice.

Program

New and Emerging Plant Industries

Research Organisation

Agaware Consulting Pty Ltd

Objective Summary

This project will educate, advise and assist RIRDC identified new, emerging and small industries (RIRDC industries) to source appropriate pesticides to manage a range of plant diseases, insects and weeds.

This project will collaborate and coordinate a focused and streamlined process to address pest management issues to achieve excellent environmental and financial outcomes for growers.

This project will:
• Engage with RIRDC industries and respond to queries regarding the APVMA and the minor use permit system.
• Assist RIRDC industries to understand pesticide regulatory guidelines, regulations, product information, use patterns, registration and permit processes and the collection of data.
• Assist RIRDC industries to maximise production with effective use of appropriate pesticides and other pest control options.
• Assist RIRDC industries to develop a pesticide prioritisation list.
• Assist RIRDC industries to engage and collaborate with Horticultural Innovations Australia and the Grains Research and Development Corporation on pesticide projects.
• Assist RIRDC industries to prioritise their pesticide requirements to submit to the Ag Vet Forum grant scheme to ensure a collaborative approach to pesticide access .
• Assist RIRDC industries to effectively respond to an emergency pest situation.
• Assist RIRDC agvet projects to disseminate current project information as required.