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AgVetLink: Number 52, October 2005

Labelling Forum

Warren Hughes attended the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) labelling forum in Canberra on 22 September 2005. The forum, which was attended by representatives from the agchemical industry, user groups, states, and public interest groups, discussed:

• current labelling requirements and practices with regards to instructions and information (the what), and format and placement (the how and where)

• issues to consider in revising labelling requirements and practices in this regard

• the scope of APVMA label approval

• issues to consider in devising an efficient process and delivering outcomes.

The common issues raised at the forum were:

• consistency vs prescription (format and wording)

• mandatory vs advisory instructions

• quantity, utility, simplicity of information

• interpretation of label terminology

• role of industry standards/codes

• better understanding of enforcement requirements for stakeholders

• withdrawal of label approval for superseded label

• trans-Tasman harmonisation of labels.

The APVMA intends to set up a working group to discuss the issues in more detail. A number of them are relevant to the New Zealand situation.