GrainGrowers has welcomed the decision by all mainland grain-growing states to defer revised phosphine workplace exposure limits, giving growers and the grain supply chain time to develop practical compliance solutions.
Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia have committed to three-year deferrals until December 2029, while New South Wales and South Australia have committed to 18-month deferrals until July 2028.
The outcome follows coordinated advocacy by GrainGrowers and state farming organisations, including AgForce, NSW Farmers, Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) and Grain Producers SA (GPSA), in collaboration with bulk handlers, other grains representative groups and Grain Trade Australia (GTA).
GrainGrowers Chair Rhys Turton said the decisions recognised that more work was needed before the revised limits could be practically implemented.
"Worker safety is the industry’s absolute priority, but the revised workplace exposure limit would have seen many farmers unable to use this critical fumigant effectively and without any alternatives, it could jeopardise grain quality and market access."
Safe Work Australia's revised phosphine exposure limits are due to commence on 1 December 2026, reducing the Time Weighted Average exposure limit from 0.3 ppm to 0.05 ppm and a 0.15 ppm peak limit.
Phosphine is the grain industry's primary fumigant and remains critical for protecting grain quality, controlling insect pests and maintaining access to domestic and competitive export markets.
"Phosphine is essential to grain storage in Australia. Right now, growers and industry don't have all the answers around how these new limits could be monitored and that's a real concern."
Mr Turton said the deferrals would provide time for industry, governments and regulators to work together while research continued.
"What this gives us is time to get it right. We can better understand what's happening on farm, fill the knowledge gaps and make sure growers have practical options for managing phosphine exposure,” he said.
"The opportunity now is for industry, governments and regulators to work together so that when these limits eventually come in, they not only improve safety outcomes, but are also achievable."
ENDS