Regulating Agricultural Chemicals: Limitations of the Status Quo

By Neil Gunningham and Patricia Healy

The OHS implications of the use and misuse of pesticides are serious, but the current inadequate regulatory and policy regime fails to adequately engage with them on a number of levels.

The complex statutory regime and institutional arrangements are inconsistent, and sometimes inappropriate and confusing, and credible enforcement of safety requirements is minimal. An overemphasis on education and training to the substantial detriment of credible enforcement is a big problem.

(CCH Journal of Occupational Health and Safety Australia and New Zealand, vol. 20, no 3, June 2004)