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Commencement of the ACVM Act

Cabinet has stated that the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996 will commence 2 July 2001. The Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Act 1997 will also commence on the same day. While there have been a number of dates set by the Minister for the Environment for commencement, this is the first time Cabinet has endorsed the date. Conse-quently, the ACVM Group is initiating action to give effect to the commencement on that date.

The ACVM Regulations have been finalised and are ready for Cabinet approval. They will come into effect at the same time the Act commences. There have been no material changes made since consul-tation comments were incorporated in late 1999. The Regulations list the trade name product groups that will be exempt from registration. The ACVM Group is now in a position to begin the transfer of animal remedy licences and pesticide registrations (see page 2). The Regulations also include two lists of generally recognised as safe (GRAS) substances for inclusion in:

• non-medicated oral nutritional compounds exempt from registration; and
• plant compounds exempt from registration.

The ACVM Group will also action the approval of the codes of practices that have been lodged with MAF for approval under section 28 of the ACVM Act.

I am confident that, with cooperation from affected parties, the ACVM Act can commence with minimal disruption. However, it is worth reminding everyone that the full range of risks posed by agricultural compounds or veterinary medicines will be managed via the ACVM Act and the HSNO Act. The ACVM Group and ERMA NZ will be working together to make their operations as com-patible as possible, but the regulatory requirements of both Acts must be met.

Debbie Morris
Director
Agricultural Compounds, Veterinary Medicines and Chemical Contaminants
MAF Food Authority