The permits, issued by the he Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), are part of several industry initiatives to help combat fall armyworm - a pest that poses a serious threat to crops grown in Australia.

There are now 37 relevant APVMA permits covering fall armyworm.

Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, David Littleproud, said the Australian Government was committed to supporting efforts here and abroad to manage and minimise the impact of this pest on production industries.

"Since fall armyworm arrived in Queensland via natural pathways in January 2020, it has spread to the Northern Territory, Western Australia and northern New South Wales," Minister Littleproud said.

"Fall armyworm is a serious agricultural pest. The larval or caterpillar stage of the moth's lifecycle, can damage and destroy a wide variety of crops with the potential for large economic loss," he said.

"Approval of additional permits provide farmers and landowners with more tools to manage this pest."

The Australian Government also recently provided $600,000 to Plant Health Australia to address critical gaps in national research and development which were identified in a national workshop.

In collaboration with the states and territories and industries, APVMA prioritises permit applications for pesticides to combat threats to biosecurity, including fall armyworm.

For more information on fall armyworm go to: www.agriculture.gov.au/pests-diseases-weeds/plant/exotic-armyworm.
Other information can be found here: www.apvma.gov.au/node/10831