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AgVetLink August 2003

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Draft standard for vertebrate toxic agents

The ACVM Group has drafted a standard for vertebrate toxic agents (VTA). This standard reforms the control on vertebrate pest control products and other vertebrate poisons that were never incorporated into the Pesticides (Vertebrate Pest Control) Regulations 1983.

The standard proposes a new classification system based on an increasing need to bring all vertebrate poisons under a consistent regulatory programme. The programme will impose a range of controls on VTA products that vary from over-the-counter sale of registered products as the simplest conditions through to registration of traders and licensing of users.

The ACVM Group is aware that these kinds of products are likely to attract controls under the HSNO Act as well. However, because different risks are managed under the two pieces of legislation, the ACVM regulatory programme will still be needed even after ERMA NZ has applied the HSNO controls.

The ACVM Group is working closely with ERMA NZ to ensure that the two programmes are complementary and compatible with no duplication of effort. This intent is reflected in the draft standard, but the ACVM Group is interested in the comments from interested and affected parties. We are also working closely with the Animal Products Group of NZFSA who are addressing the concerns around the potential for VTA residues in feral game – the main impact is on hunters, processing plants and landowners.

Following internal consultation, the draft standard will be available on the ACVM website. (Make sure you register for email advice when the site is updated if you haven’t already done this.) The Animal Products Group considerations are also available on their part of the website.

ACVM Documents

For the past few years, it has been possible to download ACVM documents from the website or purchase them from Manor House Press. (Our thanks to Manor House for providing this ‘hard copy’ service.) Now that nearly everyone who is using ACVM documents is downloading them, the electronic version will be the only one available as of 1 October 2003.

If you are unable to download documents, contact:

Melanie Pero (Coordinator Operations) 
Ph: 04 463 2550 or 
Email: melanie.pero@nzfsa.govt.nz

Overdue Annual Fees

Invoices for 10% penalty interest for any unpaid annual fees have been posted.

Even at this late stage, following a series of reminders, some companies are advising that they wish to cancel products.

We would remind registrants of the business rules around the refund of annual charges.

If a registrant advises of a cancellation (having met the ACVM Group requirements to take all reasonable actions to ensure that the product is no longer on the market), then the following refunds will be applied:

• Advice July to September refund of 75% annual charges
• Advice October to December refund of 50% annual charges
• Advice January to March refund of 25% annual charges
• Advice April to June no refund of annual charges 

The relevant portion of any penalty interest will be charged as will any administrative costs for making the adjustments.

The ACVM Act section 82 prohibition on importation and manufacture for any unpaid annual fees is automatic – sale of any affected products is likely to be in breach of the Act.

The ACVM Group will waive the prohibition on confirmation of the receipt of the full outstanding amount, including the penalty interest component.