Hazardous Substances
Update

May 2019
Hazardous Substances Update #188

In this issue we have information on hazard labels on household chemicals, submissions are open on an application to introduce a new fungicide, and the application for PredaSTOP has been formally withdrawn. 

Articles

Understanding hazard labels on household chemicals

We have issued a Caution Notice reminding householders about the importance of reading and understanding the labels on hazardous substances, to keep themselves and others safe.

Labels on these products explain the physical, health and environmental risks that you need to be aware of so that you can use, store and dispose of them safely. Similar labelling requirements apply throughout the world.

Read more on our website here.

Application to introduce new fungicide KUSABI

Your views are sought on an application to import for release the fungicide, KUSABI, for the control of powdery mildew.

The active ingredient in KUSABI - pyriofenone - is a new active ingredient to New Zealand.

The applicant, ISK New Zealand Limited, wants to import KUSABI for use in the control of powdery mildew in grapes, apples and curcubits (a family of plants that includes pumpkins, cucumber and courgettes).

The fungicide would be applied using an airblast sprayer on grapes and apples, and by aerial or ground-based broadcast sprayer for curcubits.

KUSABI is currently approved for similar uses in a number of other countries, including Australia, Canada and the United States.

The applicant says that KUSABI is not toxic to humans and will be an important tool for farmers to reduce the development of resistance.

For more information or to make a submission, visit our website.

PredaSTOP application withdrawn

In its application, Connovation Ltd, manufacturer of PredaSTOP, proposed that owners and householders should be notified if their property was within 500 metres of any bait station, when PredaSTOP baits are being laid as part of a cat control operation. Currently, such advice must be given if the baits are within three kilometres of a property.

Connovation Ltd has now formally requested that its application be withdrawn.

As a result, there will be no further action undertaken and the application ends at its current point. There are no changes made to the original PredaSTOP approvals which were the subject of this reassessment application.

See the original application documents here. 

Reminder: Hydrofluorocarbon permits

Applications for special permits for the import of hydrofluorocarbons close on 1 July 2019, and 1 September 2019 for grandparented permits.

From 1 January 2020, all imports, transhipments, and exports of specified hydrofluorocarbons will require a permit from the EPA. You need to apply in 2019 for these permits.

If you export hydrofluorocarbons in the calendar year (from 2020 onwards) you may be eligible for an exporter’s import permit to replace the quantity exported. Export permits, exporter’s import permits, import permits for recycled hydrofluorocarbons, and exemptions for transhipments may be applied for in 2020.

Update on paraquat

The submission period for the reassessment of paraquat herbicides (APP203301) closed on 30 April 2019 with 18 submissions received.

We are in the process of evaluating the information provided in submissions and the impact on the proposals that were made in the application. 

A number of submitters indicated that they wish to be heard in support of their submissions, so a hearing will be held in September 2019 (dates and locations will be confirmed in due course).

Recent decisions

Hint – all HSNO decisions are now displayed by default in descending date order in the HSNO applications database on our website. Tap the spacebar once, then hit Enter to see the latest.

April 2019

APP203513 by Hodder &Taylors Ltd to determine if RAPPEL Seed Applied Slug Repellent is Hazardous. Decision: Determination made – unable to be determined and notified on 01 April 2019

APP203256 by PGG Wrightson to import for release GLY-OXY containing glyphosate at 709 g/kg present as the glyphosate ammonium salt and 20 g/kg oxyfluorfen for use as a herbicide on weed strips in vineyards and orchards and as spot spray in non-cropland situations. Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 02 April 2019

APP203726 by Adama New Zealand Limited to import experimental plant protection compounds for evaluation in trials under containment. Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 02 April 2019

APP203791 by Kenso Corporation (M) Sdn Bhd to import or manufacture Kentron 700 SC Herbicide for release. Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 02 April 2019

APP203796 by Kenso Corporation (M) Sdn Bhd to import or manufacture Cletho 240 EC Selective Herbicide for release. Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 02 April 2019

APP202985 by Monsanto Australia Limited to import for release Roundup Fast Ready to Use Weedkiller containing glyphosate 7.2 g/L (as 9.7 g/L glyphosate isopropylamine salt) and 20.4 g/L pelargonic acid and related fatty acids, for use as a herbicide by home gardeners. Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 04 April 2019

APP203539 by Zagro Singapore Pty Ltd to import or manufacture a fungicide product containing 375g/kg cyprodinil and 250g/kg fludioxonil for the control of Botrytis in blackcurrants, grapes and onions, Botrytis and Anthracnose in blueberries, and Botrytis, Anthracnose and Rhizopus in strawberries. Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 10 April 2019

APP203797 by Ministry for Primary Industries to see if there are grounds for reassessment for Actara®. Decision: Grounds exist for the reassessment and decision notified on 16 April 2019

APP203768 by Adama New Zealand Limited to import or manufacture Adama Experimental Plant Protection Compounds in Containment. Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 17 April 2019 

APP203764 by Lonza NZ Limited (formerly Zelam) to import or manufacture TNL3716 for export only in containment. Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 18 April 2019

APP203675 by Nufarm Limited to import or manufacture Debut is a herbicide containing 500g/l 2,4-DB as the dimethylamine salt in the form of  a soluble concentrate for release. Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 18 April 2019

APP203558 by FMC New Zealand Limited to remove the ground-based use restriction imposed in paragraph 6.8 of the Decision HSR100857 (APP201204), which specified that the “use of Exirel® must be by ground-based methods only. Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 30 April 2019

Withdrawn applications 

APP202879 by Connovation Ltd To reassess under section 63A of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (‘the Act’) the requirement for end users to notify any landowners, households and residents within 3km of a feral cat control operation with PredaSTOP.Application withdrawn and status change on 17 April 2019

Amendments to approvals

APP202019 by Environmental Protection Authority to amend of HSC100112 (Amendment APP203818). Decision: Notified on 17 April 2019

Other news

Keep up to date with EPA consultation

You can comment on any of the public proposals we receive. Your input is an important contribution to the final decision.

For the latest information on public consultations, please see our website. We'll also tweet about any consultation openings and closings.