No images? Click here
No. 99 - Autumn 2026
Ask Aunty Ag
Aunty Ag is here to help and will answer a question each edition.
Hi Aunt Ag, I regularly see a plane flying around spraying something. Who owns the plane and what are they spraying? Hope your week is flying by, Avis Douglas
Welcome aboard Avis. There are many reasons why you may see a plane flying around spraying your neighbour’s property. Agriculture Victoria issue licences for this type of work but do not receive notifications of spraying. The best way to find out more about who is spraying and what they are using, is to make contact with the property owner and have a discussion about what you see.
Cleared for take-off, Aunty Ag.
If you would like to have a question answered by Aunty Ag, please click the email below and Aunty Ag can help you with your query.
Introducing Victoria's first Apiary Chemical Use Project Officer
Agriculture Victoria are excited to introduce the latest addition to the Chemical Operations team, Caitlin Herd, who will be joining us in the role of Project Officer - Apiary Chemical Use.
Caitlin started in March and is based at our Attwood office. She will work across both the apiary and chemical industries to support beekeepers in understanding their obligations as they have recently become reliant on chemical use for Varroa mite management.
Caitlin joins us from DPI Queensland where she worked as a Biosecurity Officer across plants, chemicals and apiary programs.
Changes to Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs)
The APVMA announced that they would be suspending the registration of all products containing second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) for one year from 24 March 2026. During this period, SGAR products may only be supplied or used as per the instructions in the APVMA Gazette No 5, Tuesday 10 March 2026.
The APVMA will also progress declaring SGARs to be restricted chemical products (RCPs). This means the supply and use of these products will be more tightly controlled. Further information on these changes can be found on the APVMA website.
What to do after the fires
Landholders in fire-affected areas may face a range of issues related to the use of chemicals:
- Weed spraying and pest animal control may increase after a fire. The benefit of retaining soil moisture can come from controlling weeds. Controlling pest animals can reduce competition for feed as fire-affected paddocks recover.
- Control of different pests or diseases than those you usually manage may be likely. To minimise risks, only use chemicals according to the label instructions.
- Avoid using lower rates of chemicals to save money. It may lead to chemical resistance and bigger problems later.
- Water quality matters when mixing chemicals. Find a clean water source wherever possible. Avoid dam water: the debris may damage your spray nozzles or reduce the effectiveness of the chemical.
- Only mix as much chemical as you need for immediate use. Fit a non-return valve on hoses and pipes used to fill spray tanks with water. This is important to prevent siphoning of chemicals from the tank into the water source if the supply is interrupted when the hose is submerged. Agitation should be enough to keep farm chemicals well mixed and suspended.
- Dispose of heat affected chemicals as they may not perform in the same manner.
- Safely dispose of fire damaged chemical drums through drumMUSTER collection points.
For more information about agriculture recovery assistance, visit: Agriculture Victoria Bushfires.
Drone use in an Agricultural Chemical Control Area
Agricultural Chemical Control Areas (ACCA) are nothing new for many Victorians but one thing that is a relatively new concept is the use of drones spraying in ACCAs.
The chemicals listed below also require an ACCA permit when conducting aerial or mister spray application:
- Any formulation of chlorsulfuron, clopyralid, glyphosate or metsulfuron methyl.
- Any amine formulation of MCPA, MCPB, 2,4-D, 2,4-DB, dicamba, mecoprop or triclopyr.
There are certain chemicals that are prohibited to be applied in ACCAs by specific methods. This list can be found on the Agriculture Victoria ACCA page along with what chemicals can be used and maps of the ACCA boundaries.
Ruminant feed ban regulations updated
New regulations giving effect to Australia’s national ruminant feed ban came into operation on 7 December 2025.
Victoria’s ruminant feed ban regulations are designed to mitigate animal and human health risks from:
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), more commonly known as mad cow disease, and
the spread of diseases such as Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs).
These diseases can also be acquired from feeding Restricted Animal Material (RAM) to ruminant livestock species (e.g. cattle, sheep, goats or deer). Australia is currently free from BSE and other TSEs.
The 2025 Ruminant Feed Regulations set rules for labels and advice notes on stock food and animal meal sold. They also cover labelling for stock food that has restricted animal material (RAM). Offences and penalties for non-compliance are included.
The new rules replace the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemical (Control of Use) (Ruminant Feed) Regulations 2015. They will last for up to 10 years, unless reviewed sooner.
For further information visit Ruminant Feed Ban or for any related enquiries, please contact Agriculture Victoria, on 136 186 or email: chemicals.policy@agriculture.vic.gov.au
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.
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.
This newsletter is distributed by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.
Were you forwarded this email? Subscribe now.