Chemicals, regulation, and the balance horticulture needs
Recent decisions affecting the industry’s access to Dimethoate has brought regulatory processes into the spotlight once again. Reviews by the APVMA and growing calls for swift action highlight the tension between transparency, efficiency, and the need for careful, evidence-based decision making. While timely decisions are important, speed cannot come at the expense of rigour.
Horticultural producers understand this better than most. They are the first to acknowledge that consumers expect fresh, safe, and high-quality produce. At the same time, they know that access to safe, effective chemistry is essential for keeping that produce on supermarket shelves. One chemical may draw public attention, but it is part of a much larger picture. Without the right tools, production slows, prices rise, and consumers ultimately feel the impact.
We need a regulator that is both effective and impartial - not a political plaything. Oversight should protect public health and the environment, while also respecting the realities of modern food production. Overly restrictive measures may make headlines, but they do little to secure food supply or support growers striving to meet demand safely.
While regulators rightly prioritise consumer safety in their assessments, the broader public health value of affordable, accessible fruit and vegetables must also be part of the equation. Decisions should weigh risk carefully against the importance of maintaining consistent supply to Australian households.
The solution is balance. Regulators must act decisively, but fairly. Growers must retain the tools they need, while consumers must maintain confidence in the safety of their food. This isn’t about defending a single chemical or crop - it’s about recognising that Australian horticulture operates in a complex ecosystem where science, safety, and practical production coexist.
Individual chemicals may be small pieces of the story, but they highlight a much larger challenge: ensuring regulation serves the public interest without undermining the industry it is meant to support. That balance is difficult, but essential.
