The Agvet Chemicals Subcommittee (ACS) is the key senior executive forum for the stewardship of agvet chemicals policy. It is comprised of decision-makers from Australian, state and territory governments. The ACS provides a collaborative forum to drive a coordinated national approach towards consistency in agvet chemical control of use (CoU) functions.
Background
In February 2025, the ACS was established by the Agriculture Senior Officials’ Committee (AGSOC) in response to the Australian Government’s Detailed Response to the Final Report on the Structure and Governance Arrangements of the APVMA.
Originally formed as a time-limited task group, the ACS was required to report back to AGSOC in early 2026. Its work confirmed that achieving greater national consistency across the agvet chemicals CoU legislative framework is feasible, warranted, and that there are practical pathways to reform.
In March 2026, AGSOC endorsed the continuation of the ACS with the purpose of driving a coordinated national approach towards improved consistency in agvet chemical CoU functions.
Looking ahead
In 2026, the ACS will move into a design phase including the identification and prioritisation of reform opportunities.
Delivering nationally consistent approaches will require sustained collaboration across jurisdictions and portfolios. The ACS has emphasised throughout its work the critical importance of stakeholder engagement in both the design and implementation of any future harmonisation measures. The subcommittee will look to engage with industry stakeholders and other interested parties as policy and regulatory proposals are developed.
Nationally consistent approach is intended to support improved safety outcomes in the use of agvet chemicals, while also delivering benefits for businesses, chemical users, and governments through greater clarity, efficiency, and alignment.
Contact
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is providing secretariat support to the ACS and can be contacted by email ACS@aff.gov.au.
ACS membership is made of the below representatives.
| Jurisdiction portfolio | Title |
|---|---|
| Australian government representation and Chair Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | Deputy Secretary, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Policy Group |
| New South Wales Department of Primary Industries | Director, Food Safety & CEO, NSW Food Authority |
| South Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regions | Executive Director Biosecurity |
| Northern Territory Department of Agriculture and Fisheries | Chief Plant Health Officer |
| Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries | Deputy Director-General and Chief Biosecurity Officer |
| Tasmania Department of Natural Resources and Environment | Manager, Product Integrity |
| Victoria Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action | Executive Director Animal Welfare and Agriculture Regulatory Policy |
| Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development | Director, Biosecurity Governance, Strategy and Performance |
| Australian Capital Territory Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate | Senior Director, Environment Protection Policy, Environment, Water and Emissions Reduction |
| Observer Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority | Chief Executive Officer |