CropLinks Summer Edition 2020

T H E L AT E S T P L A N T S C I E N C E I N D U S T R Y N E W S

SUMMER EDITION 2020

The chemistry of love

What’s the first thing that comes into your mind when you think of Valentine’s Day? Roses? Chocolates? Chemistry? It likely isn’t the chemistry of crop protection, but the reality is, without it, we wouldn’t be able to shower our loved ones with many of the gifts associated with the day.

Crop protection products, such as herbicides, fungicides and insecticides, are crucial to the commercial production of roses, strawberries, cocoa beans for chocolate and grapes for wine—the things that make Valentine’s Day special.

This Valentine's Day, take a moment to appreciate the work of farmers and the advances of the plant science industry that have made these gifts possible— even if you've bought them for yourself!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Pesticides in environmental farming 3 Europeans unphased about GM crops 7 Improving ground spray application 8 CropLife hosts National Forum 10

In Australia the commercial production of strawberries and grapes would not be viable without the use of crop protection products.

Roses are highly susceptible to a range of fungal diseases, viruses and pests, all of which are effectively managed with crop protection products.

Almost half of the global increase in cocoa production over the last decade is attributable to the use of crop protection products.

Source: Deloitte Access Economics 2018, Economic activity attributable to crop protection products.

representing the best of the plant science industry

Matthew Cossey Chief Executive Officer, CropLife Australia

From the CEO “We’re back to a dark age where people seem unable to differentiate between hype and the evidence of experts.” Those are the words of Dr Elizabeth Finkel am, the 2019 Australian Society for Medical Research medal recipient.

It’s becoming harder to sort the wheat from the chaff regarding many public debates on science, including the science of glyphosate, where it seems that misinformed hype is prevailing.

The fact is, agricultural and environmental land management chemicals, including glyphosate, are some of the most regulated and independently assessed products in Australia and around the world. The world’s most advanced, competent and independent regulators have scientifically assessed and reassessed glyphosate products and declared them to be safe.

It’s human nature that when someone is diagnosed with cancer, they want to find an answer to their question—why me?

However, accepting a false but convenient answer driven by the US litigation system as opposed to finding out the actual cause serves no one.

The US Agricultural Health Study has been running since 1993 looking specifically at whether there is any association between glyphosate exposure and non‑Hodgkin lymphoma. In that time investigators from the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institute for Occupational

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Safety and Health have comprehensively analysed data from over 89,000 regular glyphosate users and their spouses.

Their findings? Association between glyphosate and non‑Hodgkin lymphoma— regardless of the exposure level — simply doesn’t exist.

We cannot allow ambulance chasing litigation law firms and extremist antichemical activist groups to warp wellconsidered public policy and independent science-based regulation. The plant science sector is a highly regulated industry that provides safe-to-use products crucial for Australian farmers, environmental land managers and home gardeners.

It has been deeply concerning to see numerous media outlets continue to report based on emotive speculation, instead of the overwhelming scientific analysis.

This is undermining public confidence in Australia’s world-class regulatory scheme and the safety of these products.

Science is clear that vaccines are safe and effective. Science is clear that the climate is changing. Science is also clear that glyphosate is safe. It’s time to turn the discussion back to facts based on science before humanity is led back into the dark ages.

CROPLINKS THE NEWSLETTER OF CROPLIFE AUSTRALIA | SUMMER 2020

n Corop itceProtection torP porC

The role of pesticides in environmentally sustainable farming The farming sector uses a variety of techniques and tools to protect crops from pests and to sustainably produce viable and robust crops.

Pesticides are a crucial tool in sustainable farming.

Strategies to reduce the amount of chemical residue on foods and within the environment remain a priority within the agricultural sector. Integrated Pest Management programs combine techniques to protect crop yield while upholding stewardship practices that ensure the improved sustainability of agricultural chemical use and protection of the environment.

Friend or foe on the farm?

Farmers work alongside nature to fight off pests naturally by utilising biopesticide practices.

Farmers have long known that planting certain flowers encourages specific

insects that will feed off the unwelcome pests that can impact crop yields and can even continue to impact future crop generations. Some species of ground beetles, dragonflies, lady beetles and some spiders eat destructive pests such as slugs, snails, mites and aphids.

Recently, researchers at the United Kingdom-based Center for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) have been conducting a study to deepen their understanding of these useful predators.

The study utilised strips of wild flowers that incorporated a variety of flowers with the purpose of attracting a broad community of predatory and patristic insects.

Dr. Ben Woodcock at CEH notes, “Rather than just promoting predominantly ground-active predators, we need to support those in the canopy or those that target internal pests living in stems or seed pods.”

While these ‘friendly’ creepy crawlies can aid with the protection of crops and save resources, they aren’t able to replace the crucial need for pesticides entirely.

Pesticide formulations continue to improve Pesticide formulations have changed over time to water-based as opposed to petroleum- or organic solvent-based.

Water-based pesticides allow farmers to increase the bio-efficacy of the products by reducing the amount of product used while increasing the coverage which means less wastage and smaller dose rates.

The use of pesticides is essential for the successful production of both organic and conventional crops. Continued agricultural innovations further reduce ecological impacts of pesticides while assisting our farmers to produce safe and nutritious crops.

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Crop Protection

Glyphosate: The facts Wondering about glyphosate and its safety? There has been a lot of misunderstanding and misinformation in the media. It’s important to know the facts, so here are some important ones.

Q What is glyphosate?

Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the world. It is independently recognised as one of the safest and most effective herbicides ever developed. There are many products containing glyphosate registered for use in Australia, from home gardens through to commercial farms.

Q Haven’t US court cases proven a link between glyphosate and cancer?

No, the recent California civil litigation cases have been decided by juries — not on the basis of scientific assessment.

The US Agricultural Health Study has been running since 1993 looking specifically at the risk between glyphosate exposure and non‑Hodgkin lymphoma.

In that time investigators from the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health have comprehensively analysed data from over 89,000 farmers and their spouses.

They have found no association between glyphosate and non‑Hodgkin lymphoma — regardless of the exposure level.

“Glyphosate does not pose a cancer risk to humans when used in accordance with the label instructions.”

Australia’s agricultural chemical industry is regulated to the same extent as human pharmaceuticals.

AUSTRALIAN PESTICIDES AND VETERINARY MEDICINES AUTHORITY (APVMA)

Before any agricultural chemical product can be sold or manufactured in Australia, it goes through rigorous scientific assessment by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). They assess the safety and expected use of the product. In 2016 the APVMA examined glyphosate, following IARC’s classification, and found there were no grounds for its approved uses to be reconsidered.

Q Should I be concerned about the toxicity of glyphosate?

Glyphosate is less toxic than table salt. Independent scientific analysis confirms glyphosatebased products are safe. More than 800 scientific studies and independent safety assessments by the world’s most respected regulators support the fact that use of glyphosate-based products does not cause cancer.

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Q How can I be sure glyphosate is safe?

Every independent, science‑based regulatory agency globally (including; Germany, New Zealand, Canada, the US, Japan and the European Union) has comprehensively evaluated glyphosate and found it safe to use.

“EPA continues to find that there are no risks to public health when glyphosate is used in accordance with its current label and that glyphosate is not a carcinogen.”

US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)

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“Residues in food are so low for all chemicals and glyphosate too, that there is no cancer risk.”

PROFESSOR BERNARD STEWART, SCIENTIFIC ADVISOR, CANCER COUNCIL AUSTRALIA

Q Isn’t glyphosate bad for the environment?

Glyphosate, like all crop protection and weed management products, plays a critical role in environmentally sustainable land management practices.

The application of glyphosate eradicates pests without having to disturb the soil and disrupt the weed’s roots via tillage.

It is scientifically proven that conservation tillage, enabled by glyphosate, can reduce soil erosion by up to 90 per cent, significantly improve water retention and increase or maintain carbon storage.

Q Why did IARC classify glyphosate as a probable carcinogen?

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is not a regulatory agency and does not undertake any research of its own.

It plays a role in advising regulatory bodies on potential hazards.

This allows the relevant regulatory agencies to assess if there are any associated risks and manage them appropriately. Substances such as aloe vera, pickled vegetables and coconut oil are all on the IARC lists of possible or probable carcinogens.

In 2015 IARC placed glyphosate on its probable carcinogen list from a pure hazard perspective. While that sounds alarming at first, it simply means glyphosate is in the same category as shift work or consuming red meat or beverages above 65°C. The world’s leading independent scientific regulators comprehensively reviewed the IARC report and reaffirmed that products containing glyphosate pose no risk of cancer.

Q What if we didn’t have glyphosate?

Glyphosate is an essential tool for Australian farmers, environmental land managers and councils to be productive in an environment that is under constant threat of weeds.

Q How can I use glyphosate safely?

All chemical products, including home cleaning products used daily, have instructions for safe and correct use on the label. To ensure the safe use of chemical products, including glyphosate-based herbicides, always read the label and use as directed.

Over two thirds of the food on your plate and the beer or wine in your glass exists because our farmers have access to safe, modern crop protection products. Without crop protection, up to 80 per cent of the globe’s crops could be lost to weeds pests and diseases.

Continued judicious use of agricultural chemicals ensures Australian farmers, environmental land managers and councils can effectively control pests, weeds and diseases. In turn, the community enjoys safe, abundant, disease‑free and affordable food, pristine natural environments and parks free from invasive weeds, and safe roadsides with visible signage.

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Crop Biotechnology

Gene-editing making crops more digestible THE WORLD’S MOST IMPORTANT CEREAL CROPS

Sorghum is the fifth most important cereal crop worldwide (after rice, wheat, maize and barley) and is a staple food for more than 500 million people.

Proteins in the sorghum grain are not easily digested by humans or animals, making sorghum less valuable than wheat or maize. Now, researchers from the University of Queensland have produced new sorghum lines, using gene-editing to knock out some existing genes to increase the digestibility of the crop.

Protein content in the new, improved lines reaches a whopping 15–16 per cent, compared to 9–10 per cent for conventional varieties. This major breakthrough is expected to generate strong interest in the 46 Sub-Saharan African countries that rely on sorghum as a primary food source.

BARLEY

MAIZE

SORHGUM

WHEAT

The discovery also has potential to reduce costs for the poultry, pig and beef feedlot industries. For example, the increase in protein is expected to result in about a 50 cents per head reduction in cost when producing a two-kilogram meat bird.

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RICE

The review of the Gene Technology Regulations (2016–19) that came into force in October 2019 led to SDN-1 being excluded from the scope of regulation.

This means that the new sorghum lines produced using SDN-1 mediated gene-editing were able to be sown at

the University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus, in the same way as plants produced via conventional breeding.

This demonstrates the importance of having a sound, science-based regulatory system that keeps Australia up to date with the latest scientific progress.

CROPLINKS THE NEWSLETTER OF CROPLIFE AUSTRALIA | SUMMER 2020

Europeans unphased about GM crops A recent Eurobarometer report on food safety shows that — contrary to what some anti-GM groups claim — most Europeans are not against GMOs. Genetically modified ingredients in food are only a concern for only a quarter of Europeans, while genome editing was even less.

In an indication that shows facts are beginning to prevail, the level of reported concern about genetically modified ingredients in food and drink has decreased rapidly from 66 per cent to 27 per cent between 2010 and 2019.

This trend is consistent across the EU. Genome-editing is hardly a concern for consumers, ranking as the last of fifteen listed topics, with only 4 per cent of consumers expressing concern.

The survey shows that Europeans trust scientists (82%) and consumer

0–9% 10–29% 30–49% >50%

PERCENTAGE OF EUROPEAN CITIZENS CONCERNED ABOUT GENOME EDITING organisations (79%) on food-related issues, followed by farmers (69%), national authorities (60%), European institutions (58%), NGOs (56%) and journalists (50%). The food industry (36%) is cited after supermarkets and restaurants (43%) but before celebrities, bloggers and influencers (19%).

The results from more than 27,000 European consumers interviewed clearly show that GMOs are not a pressing issue for Europeans and that concerns about genetic modification have dramatically decreased over the last decade.

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Industry Stewardship

Improving ground spray application of pesticides CropLife Australia and the Australian Ground Sprayers Association are actively engaged in national and regional spray drift initiatives and have partnered to produce SprayBest. SprayBest is a best practice guide for spray applicators and farmers to provide the latest advice and resources required for efficient spray application and effective spray drift management.

SprayBest supplements CropLife’s best practice reference guide, MyAgCHEMuse, and is an integral part of SprayPASS, the Australian Ground Sprayers Association’s stewardship program.

In Australia, the economic impact of weeds is estimated to be more than $4.8 billion each year. That’s why crop protection products are crucial to modern integrated pest management techniques and systems. However, it is critical that spray applicators, farmers and environmental land managers are properly equipped to use all registered

crop protection products safely and responsibly.

Meaningful change in agricultural practice has been shown to result in improvements in on-target application efficiency and reduce the risk of pesticide drift occurring. However, management and minimisation of off-target spray drift is complex.

SprayBest is part of CropLife’s StewardshipFirst program which is a suite of whole-of-lifecycle initiatives and programs for the plant science industry’s products.

The best practice guide for ground spray application of pesticides | First edition

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CROPLINKS THE NEWSLETTER OF CROPLIFE AUSTRALIA | SUMMER 2020

Where do all the IBCs go?

As more farmers turn to using Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs or 1,000 litre shuttles) for their agvet chemical needs, many are still unsure about the right way to return IBCs once they’ve been used.

While CropLife's stewardship subsidiary, AgSafe's drumMUSTER recycling program is specifically for single-use containers between one litre and 205 litres, there are alternative pathways for the sustainable disposal of IBCs. There are several proprietary programs active in Australia that agvet resellers and primary producers can connect with for the sustainable disposal of IBCs and enviro drums.

CropLife member companies use these programs for nearly all of their IBC products as part of their commitment to world-leading stewardship.

Schutz Australia, Astron Sustainability and Tank Management Services are

three programs that refurbish and recycle used IBCs across Australia.

awareness of current IBC collection services.

Agsafe recently conducted a survey of farming groups to inform the industry about the efficacy of current IBC return programs and the future needs to support sustainable farming practices.

Less than 40 per cent of respondents knew about IBC returnable programs and of those that were aware, just under 50 per cent said they used a service.

There has been a recent social media trend involving people sharing the creative ways they have repurposed IBCs. Whilst these second-life projects are carried out with good intentions, IBCs that have held agvet chemicals should only be disposed of through a safe pathway.

CropLife members are working to reduce the number of containers entering the distribution scheme, increase the recycling of containers and extend the

Resellers are encouraged to support industry waste-reducing initiatives by sourcing products that have a sustainable pathway for the disposal of IBCs and enviro drums.

To find out more about intermediate bulk container disposal initiatives, visit: drummuster.org.au/container-recycling/the-abcs-for-your-ibcs/

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News and Events

CropLife Australia hosts National Forum CropLife Australia recently hosted its annual National Members’ Forum in Canberra as part of Agriculture and Rural Focus week — a great opportunity to display the strength and diversity of Australia’s broad agriculture industry.

Host of Network 10’s Scope, Lee Constable.

Attendees heard from the then Minister for Agriculture, Senator the Hon. Bridget McKenzie, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP and the heads of both the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority and the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator.

Lee Constable, host of Scope, Network 10’s science and tech show for the young and young-at-heart, and new author of ‘How to Save the Whole Stinkin’ Planet’ presented a keynote address urging the attendees consider their audience, message and method of delivery to be most effective in communicating science. Fighting chemophobia, food security and glyphosate and the future of farming in South Australia were also on the agenda.

Following the Forum, CropLife hosted its annual agriculture industry reception where three individuals were honoured with CropLife President’s Awards. Tony May, former ANZ Company Head for Monsanto and now Head of Customer Marketing, ANZ for Bayer CropScience, Greg Mitchell, Regulatory and Policy Manager with Corteva Agriscence, and Osman Mewett,

General Manager of the Australian Seed Federation and former Director of Crop Biotechnology Policy with CropLife were recognised for their outstanding personal contribution to the plant science industry.

“These three individuals have almost seventy years’ experience in the plant science industry between them.

They have extensive knowledge and experience across regulatory and legislative reform, agricultural production and biotechnology innovation. Our industry is certainly richer for their contributions and they are very deserving of this accolade,” said CropLife Australia President, Mr Paul Luxton.

CropLife Australia 2020 Board The CropLife Board has re-elected Mr Paul Luxton, General Manager ANZ for Syngenta, as President of Australia’s peak industry organisation for the plant science sector in 2020.

Mr Luxton will be joined on CropLife’s Executive by highlyregarded industry leaders with a vast wealth of knowledge and expertise: Mr Damien Ryan, Managing Director, Sipcam Pacific Australia, Vice President (Crop Protection); Mr Joerg Ellmanns, Chairman and Managing Director Bayer Group ANZ, Vice President (Crop Biotechnology); and Mr Gavin Jackson, Head of Agriculture Solutions — Australia & New Zealand, BASF Australia, Chair of Corporate Governance Committee.

CropLife Australia Board of Directors will be: Mr Tony Brookes, Managing Director, Sumitomo Chemical Australia; Ms Kristina Hermanson, Country Manager, FMC Australasia; Mr Darrin Hines, Managing Director ANZ, Adama Australia; Mr Rob Kaan,

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CropLife Australia President, Paul Luxton.

Managing Director — Australia/New Zealand/Japan/Korea, Corteva Agriscience (Agricultural Division of DowDuPont); and Mr Peter O’Keeffe, ANZ Regional General Manager, Nufarm Australia.

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Members' update New CropLife members

Elders, owner of the Titan AG crop protection brand, and Autopak Formulators have joined CropLife Australia.

Like all CropLife members, Elders is committed to the safety, stewardship and quality of their products. Elders is a leading brand recognised throughout the agricultural sector whose historic association with Australian farming dates back to 1839.

Autopak Formulators is a manufacturer of crop protection, industrial chemical and speciality formulations with a commitment to quality control and assurance across their formulations.

With Elders and Autopak Formulators joining the national peak industry body it reinforces that CropLife represents the best of the plant science industry.

Nutrien Ag Solutions has put its support behind the national campaign to tell the story of Australian farmers.

Nutrien Ag Solutions—the new name for the combined Landmark and Ruralco business—contributed $500,000 to support the National Farmers’ Federation’s ‘We Are Australian Farmers’ campaign.

Adama Australia continues its strong stewardship focus through the launch of its ReefAware app, a unique tool which helps sugarcane growers and agronomists maximise herbicide efficacy whilst minimising run-off and its potential impact on the environment.

ReefAware assesses the suitability and timing of herbicide applications by taking recent, current and short-term forecast weather conditions into account, along with site soil type and moisture, topography and proximity to water courses.

Corteva has partnered with TradeMutt to kickstart conversations about mental health in agriculture.

Bright and loud, TradeMutt shirts are designed to get people talking positively about mental health.

Bayer and Active Farmers have announced a new partnership to support the delivery of fitness programs across rural Australia, aimed at improving the physical and mental wellbeing of farming communities in remote areas and drought affected communities.

It supports growers to ensure the essential water they use does not damage the reef.

The tool is proving popular with a growing number of growers and agronomists across Queensland.

Anashka Farms— a family run, intergenerational estate with a diverse mix of cropping—is the recent recipient of the Nufarm National Grain Innovation Award for demonstrating innovative on-farm practices.

Syngenta operates a number of programs that aim to improve the sustainability of agriculture.

Operation Pollinator, an international initiative, was developed to boost the number of pollinating insects, such as bees, on farms and golf courses.

Bayer, Active Farmers, National Farmers’ Federation and Members of Parliament at the launch of the Bayer–Active Farmers partnership (above).

Syngenta works with farmers and golf course managers to create wild habitats around cultivated areas. The program will enhance biodiversity on more than five million hectares globally.

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CropLife Australia is the national peak organisation representing the best of the plant science industry in Australia. CropLife’s members are the world-leading innovators, developers, manufacturers and formulators of crop protection and crop biotechnology products.

CropLife ensures the responsible use of these products through its mandatory industry code of conduct and has set a benchmark for industry stewardship through programs such as its Pollinator Protection Initiative, including the world-first BeeConnected app, and successful Agsafe programs, drumMUSTER and ChemClear®.

The plant science industry, worth more than $20 billion a year to Australian agricultural production, provides products to protect crops against pests, weeds and diseases, as well as developing crop biotechnologies key to the nation’s agricultural productivity, profitability and sustainability.

CropLife is part of the plant science industry’s 91 country international federation.

CROPLIFE MEMBERS

representing the best of the plant science industry t 02 6273 2733 facebook.com/CropLifeOZ

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