The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) said it has taken action to 532 unregistered agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemical products from online stores in the six month period from July to December 2024.

APVMA Chief Executive Officer Scott Hansen, said that under Australian law, all agvet chemical products must be registered or approved by the APVMA.

“All agvet chemical products sold in Australia must display an APVMA registration number on their label. If that isn’t there, the product is unregistered. Anybody can search the APVMA’s free products and permits database to verify registrations.

“Consumers have a right to know that the products they buy are legal, safe and effective. If a product is unregistered, it hasn’t been assessed by our scientists and there’s no guarantee it meets this standard.”

Mr Hansen said the APVMA works with major online marketplaces (including eBay, Amazon, Catch.com, Facebook, Gumtree and Kogan) to ensure listed products don’t breach agvet legislation.

“The APVMA will continue to collaborate with these platforms to remove unregistered products and identify the entities responsible for creating these listings.

“The responsible entities have been warned that we will take further action against them if they don’t correct their behaviour.

“If you see a product that you think isn’t registered, don’t purchase it, report it to the APVMA.”

The sale of unregistered products creates a serious risk to human health, animal welfare, or environmental safety, and this is reflected in the penalties associated with this unlawful activity.

The law allows courts to impose penalties of up to $391,250 for advertising an unregistered product for sale, and up to $2.3 million for the supply or sale of an unregistered product.

Source: APVMA. For more information regarding the APVMA’s compliance activities, visit the APVMA website.