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No. 98 - Summer 2025/26
Ask Aunty Ag
Aunty Ag is here to help and will answer a question each edition.
Hi Aunt Ag, I have an issue with birds eating my crops. What can I do? Regards, Stephanie Sparrow
Hi there Stephanie, I hope you have not lost too much crop to the pesky birds. There are many options you could look into prior to chemical use, such as scarecrows and scare guns. If you do want to use a chemical option, there are bird deterrent products on the market however, some require licencing as a restricted use chemical product or can only be used by licensed pest controllers.
Signing off, Aunty Ag.
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Chemical Use Requirements For Tomato Potato Psyllid Host And Carrier Commodities Are Changing
In October 2025, Tomato-Potato Psyllid (TPP) was found in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, outside the Bellarine Peninsula Restricted Area, indicating that the pest may be more widespread.
From 8 December, all Victorian businesses moving plants or produce interstate will now need to comply with entry requirements set by each destination jurisdiction. These include treatment, inspection, and certification for consignments of TPP host and carrier commodities. Requirements differ for each state and for host and carrier commodities of TPP.
Agriculture Victoria is providing protocols and accreditation options to help Victorian businesses meet these new requirements. These protocols specify chemical treatments and inspection.
Visit the Agriculture Victoria website for the latest information and guidance.
Varroa Transition To Management – What Does Chemical Use Look Like?
Victoria continues to have new reports of varroa mite across the state.This means beekeepers are having to change the way they use chemicals to manage their hives.
Agriculture Victoria is commencing an apiary chemical use project, as part of a broader Victorian varroa transition program to support beekeepers with best practice in using chemicals for beehive management. The new project will work with industry to manage the risk of chemical residues in honey and bee products. Further, Agriculture Victoria will include testing of honey and bee products in the Targeted AgChem Residue Program (TARP) to support industry and consumer confidence in safe chemical use.
The National Varroa Mite Management Program has a range of chemical control options that have been approved for use in Australia listed on their website. Some of the chemicals may have additional requirements for their use in addition to the label requirements found in an APVMA permit. It is important that all information is followed, including any state guidelines.
Victorian Fertiliser Regulations 2025
The Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) (Fertilisers) Regulations 2025 (the Fertiliser Regulations) commenced on 26 September 2025, replacing the 2015 Regulations.
These requirements are intended to mitigate risks from fertiliser impurities affecting food safety, the environment, and agricultural trade. To read more about the updated regulations, click on the button below.
1080 And PAPP Bait Users And Dog Owners Share Responsibility
Users of 1080 and PAPP baits, as well as dog owners, share the duty of keeping pets away from these baits.
Using 1080 and PAPP bait is a key method for managing foxes, wild dogs, and rabbits. The Victorian Government allows landowners to use these baits under strict guidelines to protect domestic animals and other species.
Failing to follow 1080 and PAPP guidelines raises the risk of poisoning domestic animals. Agriculture Victoria takes misuse seriously. They will investigate reports under provisions of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1992.
Dog owners also play a part reducing the risk of accidental poisoning. They must ensure their animals cannot access baited properties. This includes muzzling or restraining pets during the baiting period.
1080 and PAPP users, along with dog owners, can reduce the risk of accidental poisonings. This cooperation helps landowners keep using an important tool for pest control. More information can be found about the use of 1080 and PAPP pest animal baits.
Survey About Chemical Industry News
You may have noticed some changes over the last few editions of Chemical Industry News. We would love to get some feedback on those changes. Please help us by completing a quick 3 question survey via the QR code or link provided.
Did You Know? Some Products Are Cancelled By Choice
Sometimes product holders choose to cancel their own registrations or active constituent approvals.
When this happens, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) list these voluntary cancellations in the Gazette, along with details about when they take effect and what to do with any remaining products.
Holders can ask to cancel an active ingredient approval, product registration, or label approval at any time by submitting a written request.
A detailed list of voluntary cancellations can be found on the APVMA website.
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.
Records of Veterinary Chemical Use Are Required
Livestock producers are being reminded that the current seasonal conditions are favourable for worm pick up on pastures. The best approach is to use an effective drench to protect them.
When you use veterinary chemicals that are a Schedule 4 prescription animal remedy or have a withholding period (WHP) (such as drenches), you need to keep specific records of that use.
Agriculture Victoria have templates available to assist you in meeting your government and Livestock Product Accreditation (LPA) record keeping requirements.
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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