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No. 96 - Autumn 2025
Introducing Aunty Ag
Aunty Ag is here to help and will answer a question each edition.
Dear Aunty Ag, I just don't understand when I need an ACUP (I know I've already got plenty of T-Cups!). Can you please help? Regards, Pamela Permits.
Dear Ms Permits, you will need an ACUP to use any agricultural chemical products that are Schedule 7 poisons and certain other chemicals. Agriculture Victoria has a great web page about why you need an agricultural chemical user permit (ACUP) and how to get one.
Click here to read it.
Signing off, Aunty Ag.
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Check out our latest information
Agriculture Victoria now has some tips for using chemicals during natural disasters.
You might encounter new weed types or different animal health issues. These will all need managing.
Read about what you might need to consider when using chemicals during these challenging times.
Using chemicals in a biosecurity response
From time to time, a biosecurity emergency response takes place in Victoria. Rushing to start chemical control can often cause mistakes, as it's not just a case of 'anything goes' in emergencies. Even if certain chemicals have been used overseas, this doesn't mean you can automatically use them here.
In many cases, these 'exotic' uses require an emergency use permit from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). The APVMA reviews applications to make sure they meet Australian Standards for safety and effectiveness. Once approved, emergency use permits allow the chemical to be used to treat the disease or pest. A consent to import permit for chemicals sold only overseas may also be needed from the APVMA.
Following Agriculture Victoria’s instructions is crucial in a biosecurity emergency response. This helps you comply with the law.
Not all records should be broken
The most common issue Agriculture Victoria finds when visiting farmers is their lack of legally required agricultural and veterinary chemical records.
Some may be missing a part or may have no records at all. Keeping chemical use records helps with traceability and is a good agricultural practice.
Agsafe has launched Australia’s first not-for-profit program to collect and recycle soft plastic agricultural bags. This program offers a green way to recycle single-use polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) bags. These bags are used for fertilisers, seeds, grain, stock feed, and pet food. For more details, visit bagMUSTER.
In case you missed it
Agriculture Victoria Connect
Need to apply for a new permit or licence? Perhaps you are due for a renewal? Look no further than Agriculture Victoria Connect, now servicing all agricultural chemical user permits, pilot chemical rating licences, and agricultural aircraft operator licences.
Agriculture Victoria Connect now has information on how to apply for other Biosecurity licences and permits.
APVMA removing unregistered chemical products
The APVMA have recently taken action to remove 532 unregistered agricultural and veterinary chemical products online.
Click the link below to read the full media article.
Meeting the needs of your livestock: feeding by-products
When: Wednesday, 28 May, 12:30 pm
Join our webinar about using by-products to meet nutritional needs.
By-products can provide a source of energy and protein, supplementing traditional feed sources.
Agriculture Victoria’s Brett Davidson, Regional Manager Dairy Services, will bring his extensive knowledge in feed management to discuss types of by-products, nutritional benefits, and potential considerations when using these feeds.
Topics:
- Suitable by-products
- Meeting your stock’s nutritional needs
- Potential considerations such as chemical residues and ensuring products are free of Restricted Animal Materials (RAM).
Reporting a chemical use issue
Agriculture Victoria responds to reports from the public regarding inappropriate or potentially illegal agricultural and veterinary chemical supply or use.
For example, dealing with allegations of:
- chemical misuse,
- spray drift from agricultural applications, or
- unacceptable residues.
Reports are treated seriously and confidentially.
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