APVMA announces proposed suspension of florfenicol use in salmon

The  Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has announced that it proposes to suspend the permit allowing the salmon industry to use the antibiotic florfenicol in salmon in the south-eastern biosecurity zone of Tasmania.

The announcement comes following the detection of very low levels of flofenicol in abalone and lobsters located more than 10 kilometres away from salmon farms.

In November 2025, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) granted an emergency permit (PER96499) for use of the antibiotic florfenicol in salmon in the south-eastern biosecurity zone of Tasmania, under strict conditions.

The APVMA said that at their request, the Tasmanian Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) provided new information reporting that very low-level detections of florfenicol amine in some non-target/wild fisheries species have been found at various distances from the salmon leases.

"After reviewing this data, the APVMA has advised the permit holder that it proposes to suspend this permit," the APVMA said.

"The permit holder has been notified that they have until Monday 2 March 2026 to provide evidence to satisfy the trade criteria."

The announcement was welcomed by Tasmanian Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff.

"This decision is an indictment on the Liberal Government, who never should’ve supported the rushed approval of the antibiotic in Tasmanian waterways," Mr Woodruff said.

"They’ve consistently dismissed concerns of the community and local fishing industry, even yesterday as the antibiotic was recorded in wild fish more than ten kilometres away from salmon pens.  

"Premier Rockliff now has no other option. He must stop supporting the salmon industry’s use of the florfenicol in Tasmanian waters and require diseased pens be destocked immediately."