PHOSPHINE DELAY SECURED FOR GRAIN PRODUCERS

By Jessica Dempster

The NSW Government has agreed to delay the introduction of new phosphine workplace exposure limits until July 2028, following months of advocacy from NSW Farmers and grains industry bodies across Australia.

The revised limits were originally scheduled to begin on December 1, raising concerns about their practical implementation during the peak grain harvest.

NSW Farmers president Rebecca Reardon says the delay provides certainty for growers and time to develop practical, evidence-based approaches to managing exposure.

NSW Farmers Grains Committee chair Adrian Roles says phosphine is essential for protecting stored grain from insect pests, maintaining quality and meeting domestic and international market requirements.

Mr Roles says there is currently no practical alternative capable of protecting grain at the scale required across the Australian industry.

He says further research into exposure monitoring and workplace practices will be important to ensuring worker safety while allowing growers to continue storing and marketing their grain.