Progress on EPA Reassessments

The EPA’s proposal makes recommendations for the use of these substances to either be revoked, phased out or retained with conditions applied.

The EPA’s proposal now goes to an independent Hazardous Substances and New Organisms decision-making committee of the EPA which reviews the proposal as an application to change the approved use of the agrichemicals. The committee will consider submissions from the public on the application (written submissions must be in by January 22) and any other information it receives through the consultation process, including during public hearings which are due to be held in March 2013. Its final decision will be made in June 2013.

Horticulture New Zealand has been working with a number of affiliated product groups which have engaged Wellington consultancy Market Access Solutionz to gather information from New Zealand growers to present to the EPA as part of their initial consultation over the past year.

HorNZ are now considering the EPA’s application proposal, in order to present a submission based on any concerns. In particular, five compounds have been recommended for phase-out within the next 18 months – 10 years. This timeframe is intended to give growers time to find alternate treatments. Horticulture NZ have indicated they are generally happy with the overall proposals but there are some where the proposed 18 month phase-out could cause difficulties. HortNZ intends to focus on explaining the benefits of these compounds to the EPA in the submission process.

Statement of Source: November E-News, HorticultureNZ