THE Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) says it accepts that its registration process could be improved in some areas, but it has to work within legislation restrictions it is bound by, which can be restrictive.
While acknowledging it is currently copping criticism from various agriculture sector stakeholders - and the environmental lobby - it says the critics are basically unhappy about the framework that governs farm chemical and veterinary health product registrations.
That framework is based on federal legislation drawn up jointly by federal and State primary industries ministers.
APVMA public affairs general manager, Simon Cubit, said different industry stakeholders had differing views about who the authority was set up to serve.
The looming national shake up of farm chemical regulations, as recommended by the Productivity Commission two years ago, had already prompted about 70 comments from industry organisations, with some farmer groups notably at odds with the suggestions from manufacturer and the Animal Health Alliance.
Responding to claims that registration approvals had vastly exceeded their supposed deadline framework, Mr Cubit said in about 90 per cent of cases approvals were within the scheduled time, but the clock was stopped when applications were incomplete and more information was sought from the manufacturer or other sources.
* Comments about the new national regulatory authority and the APVMA's role can be found by visiting apvma.gov.au
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