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Cotton Australia Submission on the future use of Paraquat/Diquat
A submission of behalf of Australian cotton growers and the broader industry has been lodged as part of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority's (APVMA) review into the use of paraquat and diquat, attracting some media attention from the ABC.
Led by Cotton Australia Policy Officer Stewardship and R&D Doug McCollum, the detailed submission had extensive input from cotton growers, agronomists and the scientific and research community and contends that any withdrawal of current uses would result in significant weed management challenges and economic loss.
The submission agrees some changes are necessary to address the acute toxicity risks that exist with the bipyridyl herbicides but identifies the proactive approach of the cotton industry in managing these risks.
In an ABC interview, Doug reiterated there has been a coordinated approach across agricultural industries to put together information to assist the APVMA to develop a balanced outcome, and that information has been sourced and shared among various agricultural stakeholders. Key contributing industries included grains, sugar, wine and horticulture with many other representative bodies also making submissions to the review.
Doug also highlighted Cotton Australia’s support for the APVMA in its efforts to strengthen the label instructions to limit occupational exposure, including exclusion of aerial application from the label, closed delivery systems, closed cab application equipment and exclusion of handheld applicators. Further, Cotton Australia has submitted that a strengthening of PPE requirements would further enhance protection of workers.
The submission to the APVMA process seeks to balance the needs of cotton growers and others in agriculture to use products in a safe and regulated way, while protecting users, the environment, and the broader community, thereby ensuring the benefits of responsible use of these products can be realised by farmers.
Cotton Australia fully respects the APVMA process which is based on a wide range of scientifically available evidence.
The report and all submissions will be released by the APVMA as part of the review process.
