Independent Science-based Regulation Needs Defending from Activists and Community Ignorance

In his inaugural address to the International Conference on the Regulation of Agvet Chemicals and Technologies (RACT 2020), Matthew Cossey, Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia, declared that independent science-based regulation needs defending from activist attacks and community ignorance. At the event held at the University of New England on February 16, 2020, Mr. Cossey addressed the modern challenges facing the agvet chemical industry and regulatory system.

Mr. Cossey said that the efficient, effective and viable regulation of agricultural and veterinary products is more critical now than at any other time in the last 60 years as farmers are being challenged to deliver higher yields with fewer resources, produce more nutritious foods, and improve existing agricultural methods in even more challenging circumstances.

He added, "One of the great problems we face in modern society – because of the revolution in modern media and communications platforms – is we now have a huge number of people who have just enough information on any given subject to think they are right, but unfortunately don't know enough on that subject to realize they are wrong. This is no more evident than in the public discourse on glyphosate."

For more details, read the media release from CropLife Australia.