Wilson welcomes WA Government decision to delay dramatic phosphine exposure limit reduction

MR RICK WILSON MP
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR O’CONNOR

15th October 2026

Wilson welcomes WA Government decision to delay
dramatic phosphine exposure limit reduction

Federal Member for O’Connor, Rick Wilson MP, welcomes WA Government decision as great news for West Australian grain growers and a step in the right direction, but the fight is not over.

Federal Member for O’Connor Rick Wilson MP has welcomed the Cook Labor Government’s decision to delay the introduction of the new phosphine exposure limit until 1 December 2029, saying sustained pressure from growers and industry had forced the Government to reconsider its original timetable.

The new limit had been due to take effect on 1 December this year.

“This is a welcome reprieve for grain growers who have been sounding the alarm about the practical consequences of this change,” Mr Wilson said.

“I raised this issue in Parliament, while growers, industry groups such as Cooperative Bulk Handling and Grain Producers Australia, people who signed our petition and supported our campaign kept the pressure on. That pressure has made a difference.

“But this is a delay, not a solution.”

Under the proposed change, the phosphine exposure limit will still fall from 0.3 parts per million to 0.05 parts per million, one sixth of the current limit. The Government has also indicated there will be no further extension.

Mr Wilson said phosphine remained critical to protecting stored grain from insects and allowing Australian grain to be stored and supplied to export markets. He said the Minister had acknowledged there was no viable alternative.

“Phosphine is fundamental to the way grain is stored and handled, particularly across major grain-growing regions like O’Connor.

“Growers support sensible measures that keep workers safe. They want everyone working on their farms to go home safely at the end of the day.

“What they are asking for is regulation grounded in the reality of how grain is stored and handled on Australian farms, using contemporary Australian evidence and standards.”

Mr Wilson said the postponement also failed to resolve concerns surrounding the new grain dust exposure limits, which remain scheduled to commence on 1 December, in the middle of harvest.

“A Grain Producers Australia survey found many farmers do not know how they will measure grain dust or where to obtain the information they need,” Mr Wilson said.

“It makes no sense to impose rules on growers when there is still this level of uncertainty about how they are supposed to comply with them.

“The Government has blinked on phosphine. Now it needs to properly address the underlying concerns of growers and industry rather than simply kicking the problem three years down the road.

“As always, I’ll keep fighting for standards that recognise the practical realities of Australian grain production.”

ENDS

Media contact: Reuben Keyser
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