Chemical use assessments for graziers

This assessment usually involves a visit or phone conversation with an authorized officer with the aim of reviewing current chemical records and chemical use on the property. The authorized officer is appointed by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries who are the Queensland Government’s regulator for this legislation.

What do you do if you receive a notice of assessment? Firstly, DON’T PANIC! Read your letter and supporting documents carefully. The letter you receive from the Department will include a checklist of information they require from you. This will include, but is not limited to application records, chemical invoices, maps and photographs of equipment and chemical storage and mixing locations. Having all of these documents on hand is the first step.

Secondly, be aware of what your obligations are under both the Chemical Usage (Agricultural and Veterinary) Control Act 1988 and the Chemical Usage (Agricultural and Veterinary) Control Regulations 2017. A copy of these documents can be found at https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/pdf/inforce/current/act-1988-103 (current as at 1 March 2023) and https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/pdf/inforce/current/sl-2017-0136 (current as at 8 May 2022).