New restrictions on diuron use as of 28 November 2011

We are writing to advise that as of 28 November 2011, diuron use in a range of situations will be subject to new restrictions. This is as a result of interim suspension action the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has taken today to protect waterways from diuron runoff. Read the media release. Broadly, the suspension: prohibits use of diuron in high application rate situations (including irrigation channels, drainage ditches, driveways, fence lines and others) from 28 November 2011 to 31 March 2012 prohibits use of diuron on tropical crops (sugarcane, tea, bananas, pineapples, coffee and paw paw) from 5 December 2011 to 31 March 2012, with additional restrictions outside this period allows continued use of diuron on a range of crops and some industrial situations subject to additional restrictions. Users must consult the new use instructions, issued today to give effect to these restrictions. The restrictions listed above are a broad summary only and are not indicative of the full restrictions applicable in different situations. As an industry peak body or subscriber to the review of diuron, we ask that you distribute this information to your members, networks or other interested parties. Product registrants are requested to inform all parts of the supply chain to ensure that all diuron products contain these new instructions prior to sale. Possession and use of diuron products can continue if the products carry these new instructions for use. The interim suspension follows consultation on the July 2011 proposal to suspend all diuron products except those used for antifouling and algal control. This proposal was based on environmental concerns identified in the 2011 environmental assessment report. Consultation on the proposed suspension closed on 30 September, with the Authority receiving 113 submissions. The restrictions announced today will reduce the risk of diuron runoff into waterways whilst allowing time to assess the vast amount of feedback, new information and monitoring results provided to the Authority. The suspension will be in place while the Authority completes further assessments on the chemical and determines the appropriate long-term regulatory action. The new use instructions and more information about the suspension, including frequently asked questions are available on the diuron review webpage.    For questions about the suspension, please contact the Chemical Review Contact Officer via (02) 6210 4749 or chemicalreview@apvma.gov.au. If such notifications should be sent to a different contact within your organisation, please advise APVMA Public Affairs via contact@apvma.gov.au. Regards, Chemical Review Team Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) PO Box 6182 Kingston ACT 2604 www.apvma.gov.au | chemicalreview@apvma.gov.au P: +61 2 6210 4749 | F: +61 2 6210 4776

Tags: Chemicals, Restrictions

Welcome to the new home and website for the Grassland Society of Sourthern Australia. We hope you'll enjoy the new look and feel of the website along with an intention to increase detail of upcoming events and news of all things related to the farming of grass. You think you're farming sheep or cattle, but these are just delivery mechanisms of your ability to farm and produce grass.

Tags: New Website

A new website has been created on the 15th of August, 2011 called Australian Grasslands Association (www.australiangrasslands.org.au). The Australian Grasslands Association is a partnership initiative of the Grassland Society of Southern Australia Inc. and The Grassland Society of NSW Inc. to undertake a regular comprehensive and critical review of the pasture research industry, to set the scene, detail completed and ongoing research projects and the gaps in research, and develop recomendations for future research investment.

Tags: Australian Grassland Association, New Website

Pasture Innovations Research Project

The pasture innovations research project will effectively deliver a regular, structured, broad based review of the main components of the pasture industry and assist greatly with improving growth and development rates of pasture based industries. This inaugural symposium focussing on legume research will be pivotal in setting the research agenda for the medium to long term as well as providing a forum for the scientific community to discuss and put forward ideas and concepts aimed at potentially generating the next quantum leap in industry.

Tags: Australian Grassland Association, Legume Research

Your Society is on the move with the formation of a new branch in the Central Ranges region. It is the first time the Society has launched a branch for many years and reflects the strong status of the organisation.

The new branch covers an area west of the Hume Freeway, north of Melbourne, south of Bendigo and east of Ballarat. Baynton farmer Gerard Ryan has been elected as the inaugural branch President.

Gerard said there was strong interest from local farmers in the area in holding events to share information and technology related to grassland farming. “There hasn’t been much happening so we thought it would be good to form a branch specifically for this area,” he said. “We called a meeting and there was strong support for forming a new branch.” The branch plans to hold four events each year and will start with a Pastures Update at Kyneton on September 23.

“We have a good committee of about 10 people so we hope to remain active,” Gerard said.

Gerard has been a member for the past 30 years as he expanded his prime lamb and Merino enterprises on his property between Kyneton and Heathcote. “The Society is a network of researchers, agricultural professionals and farmers interested in improving productivity of grass, and provides great opportunities to exchange information and knowledge from research, experimental work and practical experience.”

“This region along the Great Dividing Range has acidic soil types and hilly terrain so there is good reason to have our own branch to focus on our specific needs.” Our Executive Officer Clare de Kok said the formation of a new branch in the area was a good reflection of interest in the Society. Clare has taken the role of joint branch Secretary/ Treasurer for the first year.

Tags: New Branch, Central Ranges

Our new mailing address is:

Grassland Society of Southern Australia

Tags: Contact Details