The APVMA is the national regulator responsible for assessing, registering, and approving agricultural and veterinary chemical products for use in Australia. The APVMA is responsible for the regulation and control of agvet chemicals up to the point of retail sale and oversees import and export. Before agvet chemical products can be legally sold, supplied, or used in Australia, the products must be evaluated and registered by the APVMA.
The APVMA approves active constituents —which are the substances in agvet chemical products that are primarily responsible for biological and other effects of a particular product — and registers end-use products. As part of the product registration process, the APVMA approves certain aspects of a product label called the relevant particulars. Veterinary chemicals regulated by the APVMA can include veterinary medicines; antibiotics and other pharmaceutical products; immunobiological products, such as vaccines and other preventative treatments for diseases; hormonal growth promotants (HGPs); and complementary animal health products.
The APVMA also considers applications for permits to authorise use of a registered agvet chemical in a manner that is different to the directions for use specified on the product label. A permit may also authorise use of an unregistered chemical under limited circumstances.
Veterinary chemicals are important tools for managing aquatic animal health and welfare; contributing to ecological sustainability by reducing disease spread to wild populations; promoting food security; and protecting human health by reducing zoonosis risks.
While there are a small number of veterinary chemicals approved for use in aquaculture under the minor use permit system, there are very few that carry a full registration.
Currently, all aquaculture species are classified as minor animal species, therefore supply and use of chemicals under minor use permits is acceptable. However, aquaculture is a rapidly expanding industry which officially has become the largest sector of the domestic seafood industry, accounting for 51% of total GVP, and 38% of total volume in 2021.
If aquaculture species are reclassified as major species, the justification for approval of uses under use permits will be no longer valid. In addition, With the ever-present chance of disease incidences and outbreaks the aquaculture industry requires ongoing access to safe and effective chemical products. This presentation will focus on the role of chemical regulation in the aquaculture industry, including the supply and use of chemicals in aquaculture and issues identified while regulating these veterinary chemicals.