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Eleven of the 14 new agrochemical active ingredients registered by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) were completed within the 13-15 month statutory time limit in 2006/07. The time limit was exceeded by more than 20% for one ai and by less than 20% for two ais. The average "clock" time for approving the 14 new ais was 10.1 months, but the actual elapsed time was 28.9 months. These times compare favourably with those seen in 2005/06.

For all 1,362 pesticide registrations assessed in 2006/07, 90% were completed within time limits, compared with 87% in the previous year. The proportion of registrations assessed within time limits rose to 93% for those submitted after July 1st 2005. New application categories and an amended fee structure were introduced on that date.

Australian pesticide registrations 2006/07

Application Number Timeframe

class processed <100% 100-120% >120%

13-15 months 14 11 2 1

9-12 months 3 2 1 0

6-8 months 85 51 15 19

5 months 167 110 23 34

2-3 months 1,093 1,054 11 28

Total 1,3621 1,228 52 82

1 includes 117 applications that were withdrawn or rejected.

The APVMA began the year with 1,129 registration applications in progress, up by 3.7% on the previous year. It received a further 1,551 applications during the year ended June 30th 2007, compared with 1,402 the year before. The number of registrations finalised was down by 7.3%, with the number to be completed at year end rising by 15% to 1,207.

The APVMA's revenues amounted to Aus$25.3 million (US$19.9 million) in 2006/07, which was 3.9% higher than in the previous year. The increase was attributed to new cost recovery arrangements and improved agrochemical sales. Levy payments amounted to Aus$17.7 million, application fees contributed Aus$2.9 million and renewal fees added Aus$3.2 million. Cost recovery from industry amounted to 96%, which was the same proportion as in the previous year.