Pests & diseases
View current permits The Hort Innovation Fund project Olive industry minor use program (OL16000) supports the submission of applications and renewals for minor use permits with the APVMA. You can view the list of current minor use permits for the olive industry, along with complete and accurate information on these permits, on the APVMA website: portal.apvma.gov. au/permits. Details of the conditions of use of the permits can also be found on the APVMA site. “Olives are considered to be a minor use crop by the APVMA,” Alan said. “The olive industry can apply for minor use permits that allow access to a wider range of agvet chemicals that are not considered economically viable to registrants to seek registration for use on olives.” There are currently 15 minor use permits in place across Australia for use on olive crops. These can be found on the APVMA PubCRIS database, portal.apvma.gov.au/pubcris and also on the AOA website. Another, for the treatment of anthracnose on olives, is in the pipeline currently undergoing research.
Minor use permit application process
Anyone can apply for a minor use permit, but the permit must be held by an Australian entity with a physical address in Australia. The application must satisfy the human safety, efficacy, crop safety and trade criteria. To satisfy these criteria and apply for
a minor use permit, you need to follow four simple steps: 1. Become a registered user of the APVMA’s online portal, portal.apvma. gov.au 2. Prepare your application using the application form, which details the information required to satisfy the regulatory criteria.
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3. Compile your supporting evidence, using scientific argument, extrapolation from registered products, similar previously issued permits, overseas registrations and/ or data generated for the particular use to support their application. 4. Submit your application via the online portal and pay the application fee. The application is then assessed by an APVMA risk manager, consulting when required with scientific evaluation areas such as chemistry, health and environment. Alan explains that even when extensive residue, chemistry or environmental assessments are required the applicant will only pay the $350 fee, which is what makes minor use permits so economical. Minor use permit assessment timeframes vary depending on the differences of the new use when compared to existing registered uses, and are typically 5-8 months. Uses in new food crops and in new application equipment typically require assessments in areas such as residues, trade and/or environment to determine if the proposed use is acceptable. Once a minor use permit is approved, the person or industry who applied for the permit becomes the permit holder. However, the permit can indicate who is able to use the permit or where the use can occur.