Bold, focused targets needed to hit AgHort growth bullseye and save innovation
Targets to reduce the queue for new agricultural and horticultural product approvals appear unlikely to deliver the rapid change that industry have been crying out for, says Animal and Plant Health New Zealand.
Animal and Plant Health New Zealand (APHANZ) Chief Executive Dr Liz Shackleton says, “while it’s positive that Ministers have answered industry’s calls to set targets that hold regulators to account, hitting the bullseye requires a bold focus on the targets that matter most.
“Industry keenly await the more ambitious target signalled by the Minister for Environment and hope it’s not too little too late,” says Dr Shackleton.
Dr Shackleton explains that a specific focus on parent products (new active ingredients) in the queue matters. These are the ones with extensive R&D investment for improved environmental, resistance or productivity outcomes. They are also the products from which generic products originate from later. If we lose those, the tap eventually turns off, so we are looking for specific targets for new actives.
“Industry believe targets could be lifted to 50% or more through resource focus, efficiency tools and alignment with trusted regulators. APHANZ members say that focusing more regulatory specialists to process applications for parent products is possible and reference the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) track record of approving over seven new actives a year between 2012 to 2015. Despite increased resourcing, only two new active approvals have been reported so far this year.
Dr Shackleton adds the Agricultural and Horticultural Products Regulatory Review has identified the need to uptake significant levers including international regulator approaches and group standards. For example, members have highlighted that many of the applications currently assessed by the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Group (ACVMG) for chemistry and manufacturing changes are managed as simple notifications with no assessment by other trusted regulators like the EU.
"This all comes back to our farmers and growers. In the last two weeks alone, from Hawkes Bay, to Timaru, to Northland, we are hearing from them that they will measure success by an increase in decisions on parent products or new actives (EPA’s Category C products).
“They say while the EPA is reporting increased approvals, these are mostly generic products - more of the same as what’s already on the market. What really matters is approvals for new active ingredients they are needing so they can rotate products to manage resistance, improve environmental outcomes and phase out older chemistry.
“Since the review report was released, APHANZ One Voice has been clear what’s at stake if real change isn’t delivered. Our position is the targets set by Cabinet this morning, are not going to deliver improvements quickly enough.
“Multi-national R&D companies are currently considering the future of their investment in New Zealand. They recently wrote to and met in person with Ministers. Some members have left, more say they will follow without change.
“The disappointment in today’s targets is mirrored and felt deeply by our members. It’s an open question whether the steps Ministers have announced today will be enough for them to reconsider their future here,” says Dr Shackleton.”
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For more information, or interview with Dr Liz Shackleton, please contact, Linda Lim, Strategic Government Relations and Communications - phone 027 231 2834, or email linda.lim@aphanz.co.nz
Supplied image
Apatu Farms orchard, Hawkes Bay
Editors notes
Animal and Plant Health NZ are the peak industry association of companies that manufacture, distribute, and sell products that keep animals health and crops thriving. We provide a unified voice for our members to government, regulators, and stakeholders.
We take a lead role in managing issues of importance to the plant and animal science industries, for the end goal of healthy crops, healthy animals, and a healthy economy, while minimising risks to the public and the environment.
For more information about APHANZ, go to www.animalplanthealth.co.nz
