On behalf of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) I would like to welcome you to EPAC2026 - ‘Advancing Sustainability in Agriculture: Enabling Precision Application of Crop Protection Products by Inclusion in Regulatory Approaches (Processes)’ sponsored by the OECD Co-operative Research Programme.

The APVMA regulates agricultural and veterinary chemicals to protect the health and safety of people, animals and the environment and to support primary industries, biosecurity and international trade.

We recognise that foresight is a critical part of our responsibility as a regulator, and we are committed to being proactive in meeting Australia’s future regulatory needs as they evolve and identifying and implementing ways to build our capability to support innovation within the agvet chemical sector.

Precision application technologies is increasingly a key component of the future of agriculture, and I am delighted that the APVMA is playing its part in supporting regulatory aspects.

I wish you an enjoyable and productive conference and look forward to meeting you soon.

Scott Hansen

Chief Executive Officer