Operational update

APPROVALS

The backlog of ‘aged’ applications (waiting final labels or technical data) has been reduced from over 600 to less than 20, while the level of applications received this year has been similar to 1999.

Despite this apparent reduction in applications in the queue, applications submitted in recent months outnumbered approvals, indicating a slight build-up of active applications in the system. We received 166 applications in June, July and August, while we actually approved 153.

During June, July and August 2000, the Animal Remedies Board approved:

• 14 A1 (new active ingredients) and A2 (new formulation type, administration method or target species for the active ingredient) type applications;
• 7 B1 (identical to a licensed product) and B2 (similar) type applications;
• 112 C type (administrative -ranging from change in formulation to change of address) applications;
• 11 low risk applications; and
• 9 provisional licences.

During the same period, the Pesticides Board approved:

• 3 A1 (new active ingredients) and A2 (new formulation type, administration method or target species for the active ingredient) type applications;
• 6 B1 (identical to a licensed product) and B2 (similar) type applications;
• 35 C type (administrative – ranging from change in formulation to change of address) applications; and
• 12 provisional licences.

BACKLOG OF WORK

Through the year, the backlog of applications in the system increased, and it is now generally taking 6 - 18 months to process applications to register or license new products (12 months ago it was taking generally 6-12 months).

The main difference between an application that takes 6 months and one that takes 18 months is that the 6 month application has all the information in it that we need to assess the product, with appropriate summaries and indexing to help us to locate the information readily. The most time-consuming part of assessment is going back to a company for more information.

Applications with information that is complete and easily accessed will go through the system with a minimum of delay.

TARGET TIMES FOR PROCESSING APPLICATIONS

We aim to turn around applications for provisional registration, section 63A approvals and low risk products within 40 working days of receipt of applications – assuming that we do not need to go back to the applicants for more information.

Class determinations should take 15 working days or less. Label approvals should take 5 working days or less.

STAFFING CHANGES

The Approvals Team has been operating for some months now with one veterinarian (instead of two) assessing animal remedies applications. We are about to lose our other veterinarian, Carolyn Hini, who is going to a position with MAF’s International Animal Trade section. Recruitment to these two positions is proceeding urgently to try to avoid inordinate delays in handling assessments of animal remedies applications.

Erin Daldry, Technical Advisor in the policy and standards area, is also heading off to the International Animal Trade section. Susan Robertson also recently left the policy and standards area.

If queues increase substantially as a result of these upheavals, the best advice we can give to our customers is plan ahead, get your applications in early, and do your homework thoroughly so your application can be handled with a minimum of wasted time.