- PROJECT NAME
- Strategic Agrichemical Review Process (SARP) – Updates
- PROJECT CODE
- MT19008
- DELIVERY PARTNER
- AGK Services
- PROJECT LEAD
- Doug McCollum – AGK Services
doug@agkservices.com.au
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This short investment is facilitating a 2020 Strategic Agrichemical Review Process (SARP) for each of the following industries: almond, avocado, banana, blueberry, lychee, macadamia, olive, onion, papaya, passionfruit, raspberry and blackberry, strawberry and summerfruit. They will provide an updated view of current priorities and gaps regarding pest, disease and weed control.
Each industry’s SARP report will assist in directing ongoing efforts to ensure the availability of and access to effective chemical controls for the industries, to address those needs and gaps. This may relate to pursuing chemical registration with agrichemical companies, or minor use permits with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
The SARP process involves industry consultation and desktop studies to…
• Assess the importance of the diseases, insects and weeds that can affect each industry,
• Evaluate the availability and effectiveness of fungicides, insecticides and herbicides (pesticides) in the control of these plant pests,
• Determine any gaps in the current pest control strategy, and
• Identify suitable new or alternative pesticides to address the gaps.
PROJECT TIMELINE
USEFUL LINKS
The minor use program through Hort Innovation, initiated the Strategic Agrochemical Review Process (SARP) to give strategic direction to the minor use program investments and have also played a pivotal role in the successful development and delivery of the Plant Industries AgChem Access Priorities Annual Forum.
Increasing access to agricultural chemicals is the focus of the AgChem Access Priorities Forum (Forum), a collaborative process that has been held for the past four years. The forums are funded by plant-based Research and Development Corporations (RDCs) and CropLife Australia. The Forum aims to promote information sharing, industry prioritisation and coinvestment opportunities for supporting applications for AgChem uses. The Forum held in October 2018 was the fourth time the forum has been run and was again successful in facilitating interaction between the RDC’s, users of AgChem technologies and Chemical Companies.
At the Forums, plant-based RDCs, APVMA and commercial chemical registrants come together to deliver a cross-industry agreed list of priority needs and solutions for uses of agricultural chemicals. Each plant-based RDC, in consultation with industry, puts forward the top five pest priorities for which chemical solutions are sought for each crop. Chemical registrants have the opportunity to suggest solutions and comment on options proposed by industry. The Forum facilitates discussion between industry representatives and chemical registrants, where opportunities to improve access to agricultural chemicals can be identified.
This review process provides horticulture industries with sound pesticide options for the future that the industry can pursue for registration with the chemical companies, or minor-use permits with APVMA for clearly identified crop protection needs.
The strawberry and raspberry & blackberry industry SARP were last updated in 2016. This new SARP will be the first for blueberries.
This current SARP process will identify and update diseases, insect pests and weeds of major concern to the raspberry and blackberry industry. Against these threats, available registered or permitted pesticides will be evaluated for overall suitability in terms of IPM, resistance, residues, withholding period, efficacy, trade, human safety and environmental issues. Where tools were unavailable or unsuitable, the process aimed to identify potential future solutions.
Prioritisation of the major pests into high, moderate and low categories will identify the Strawberry, Blueberry and Raspberry & Blackberry Industry’s priorities and help determine the highest priority gaps in the raspberry and blackberry pest control strategy.
If you have any questions about the SARP survey please contact:
Doug McCollum, E: doug@agkservices.com.au
The Hort Innovation R&D Manager of Strategic Crop Protection is:
Jodie Pedrana, E: jodie.pedrana
