![Woomelang, Victoria, farmer Chris Kelly is against the APVMA decision to allow farmers to crop-top feed barley crops with glyphosate. Woomelang, Victoria, farmer Chris Kelly is against the APVMA decision to allow farmers to crop-top feed barley crops with glyphosate.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/5Q2j7ezUfQBfUJsaqK3gfB/9625064d-f34a-4a24-8893-cd0ae1f7ca35.jpg/r0_0_3488_3640_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
WHILE many grain producers have welcomed the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) decision to issue a temporary minor use permit for glyphosate to be used as a desiccant on feed barley, one Victorian farmer has questioned the move.
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Chris Kelly, Woomelang, in the State’s Mallee, said he believed the Australian grains industry had missed an opportunity to create a premium brand for itself.
“One of the reasons given for the permit was that it was common practice for some of our key rivals such as the EU or the United States,” he said.
“I think this is precisely the reason we should not go down this path, it provides us with a clear market advantage.”
“I don’t think the industry really needs this practice, we have been able to manage for decades without desiccating feed barley and it is only in the last few years it has started to creep in.
“One of the great advantages we have is that we generally have sufficient heat to bring the crop in naturally without the need for a desiccant like in more temperate cropping regions.”
Mr Kelly said one of his key objections to the use of glyphosate late in the growing season was the perception of the herbicide.
“The World Health Organisation earlier in the year declared glyphosate a ‘probable’ carcinogenic, and whether you agree with that or not, the fact is that it has had a damaging impact on the herbicide’s reputation.”
“The message from Asia, recognised as our key market, is clear. They don’t want glyphosate in their food.
“This means that while glyphosate use is fine early in the season we don’t want use that can lead to high residue levels.”
“We want to be going down a path that encourages zero herbicide on our grain, instead the APVMA decision means we go down a path that is actively encouraging it.”
Mr Kelly said while the APVMA permit was only for barley for use for livestock feed blending of barley by traders could see residues in product sold as malt.
“Given we do have other alternatives out there, such as windrowing the barley, that achieve much the same aim, I feel we are missing a trick here.
“We heard (mining magnate) Twiggy Forrest talking recently about developing a Brand Australia for our food based on our reputation as a clean and green producer, but this is not going to help that.”