ACCC allows Agsafe to continue industry stewardship program

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has granted authorisation to Agsafe Limited to allow it to continue to enforce the 8th edition of the Agsafe Code of Conduct for a further three years.

The code seeks to ensure the safe storage, handling, transport and distribution of agricultural and veterinary chemicals in Australia through training and accreditation. Authorisation allows Agsafe to impose trading sanctions on persons and premises that do not comply with the code. Agsafe proposes to use this period to transition to an incentive-based scheme.

"The ACCC considers authorisation is likely to benefit farmers, industry personnel and the environment by maintaining a high level of compliance and safety within the agvet chemical industry," ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel said.

"In particular, authorisation is likely to help maintain safety levels and minimise disruption to the industry as Agsafe transitions to its proposed new incentive-based scheme, which does not involve trading sanctions."

Agsafe's Basic Training course includes three accredited competencies.  These three training courses could be provided by any appropriately qualified Registered Training Organisation. The ACCC has imposed a condition to require Agsafe to ensure that its documentation and website do not give the impression that only Agsafe can provide this training.

The ACCC's determination will be available from the ACCC website.

Authorisation provides immunity from court action for conduct that might otherwise raise concerns under the competition provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974. Broadly, the ACCC may grant an authorisation when it is satisfied that the public benefit from the conduct outweighs any public detriment. The ACCC conducts a comprehensive public consultation process and issues a draft determination before making a decision to grant or deny authorisation.