GRAIN PRODUCERS WELCOME ANOTHER PHOSPHINE DELAY

Western Australia has become the latest state to delay changes to workplace exposure limits for phosphine, with Grain Producers Australia welcoming the move amid concerns about the potential impact on grain fumigation, biosecurity and trade.

The lower exposure limit has been delayed for three years, following similar decisions in South Australia and Victoria.

The changes form part of a national review of more than 600 airborne contaminant exposure limits, which states were due to implement by December 1, 2026.

Grain Producers Australia chair Matthew Madden says the proposed standard could threaten biosecurity and trade, while leaving Australia’s exposure limit out of step with those in the European Union, United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Argentina.

He also says there is currently no viable alternative to phosphine for fumigating stored grain.

Grain Producers Australia is now calling on the remaining states to follow suit with their own delays, saying safe workplace standards must be maintained without placing unnecessary burdens on grain growers.