Hazardous Substances
Update

March 2019
Hazardous Substances Update #186

In this issue submissions are open for the paraquat reassessment, we debut our new online form for reporting bee incidents, and you can now apply for permits for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

Articles

Going digital for bees

We’ve made it easier for beekeepers around New Zealand to tell us about suspected poisoning of bees and other pollinators.

Our new online reporting form means beekeepers can now jump onto our website to give us details about any poisoning incidents that may have affected their hives.

We gather this information so we can report to the OECD (the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) Pollinator Incidents Information System. The system allows OECD member countries, of which New Zealand is one, to collect and share information quickly and consistently about incidents that may be potentially linked to pesticides.

These reports help us to compare incidents and make the best decisions to ensure bees and other pollinators in New Zealand are protected from harm.

Report an incident, or check out the new form.

Find out more about our work to protect bees and other pollinators in New Zealand.

Submissions open for paraquat reassessment 

Your views are now being sought on a reassessment of the herbicide paraquat and associated formulations.The deadline for submissions has been extended to 30 April 2019 to give submitters more time to provide quality submissions. 

Paraquat is included in our priority chemicals list that was unveiled in October 2018 as part of our revamped reassessments programme.

This is the first active ingredient from the priority chemicals list to be reassessed.

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

Importing Hydrofluorocarbons

Importers and exporters can now apply for permits for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Ozone Layer Protection Act.

From 1 January 2020, all imports and exports of HFCs require a permit from the EPA. Permits to import new HFCs in 2020 must be applied for by 1 July 2019 (special permits), or 1 September 2019 (grandparented permits).

Applications for grandparented eligibility have now closed, unless exceptional circumstances exist.

Find out more on our website.

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.

February 2019

APP203697 by Nufarm Limited to import or manufacture NUL3283 for release. Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 01 February 2019

APP203698 by Nufarm Limited to import or manufacture NUL3344 for release. Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 01 February 2019

APP203305 by Bayer New Zealand Limited to import Scorpio Ornamental Fungicide, a suspension concentrate containing 200 g/L tebuconazole and 100 g/L trifloxystrobin, for the control of myrtle rust and other fungal diseases in ornamentals and plants of the myrtaceae family. Decision: Declined and notified on 04 February 2019

APP203701 by Kiwicare Corporation Limited to import insect guard mosquitos repellent plug-in containing 1.5% prallethrin for release. Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 05 February 2019

APP202942 by Sulphur Mills Limited Australia to import Buzz Ultra 750 WG Fungicide, a water dispersible granule containing 750 g/kg tebuconazole for control of diseases in wheat, barley, oats, ryegrass seed crops, peas, onions and summerfruit. Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 07 February 2019

APP203715 by Eurofins Agroscience Services to import or manufacture FAA1601and FAL880 Plant Growth Regulators in containment. Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 07 February 2019

APP203774 by Peracto New Zealand Limited to import in containment experimental plant protection compounds for field and laboratory studies. Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 07 February 2019 

APP203302 by Kiwicare Corporation Limited to manufacture GPFC 410; a combination of 3 fungicides for the control of fungi in lawns, sports and amenity turf and on ornamental plants including those found in home gardens, nurseries and parks or reserves. Decision: Declined and notified on 13 February 2019

APP203408 by Nufarm Limited to seek approval for the seed treatment product Vitaflo.  Vitaflo contains 200g/L carboxin and 200g/L thiram. Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 13 February 2019

APP203743 by Post Harvest Solutions ltd to import AnsiP-G, a new agricultural chemical product containing 1.8 g/kg of 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) in a vapour releasing tablet formulation (VP). Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 13 February 2019

APP203751 by Lucebni Zavody Draslovka a.s. Kolin to import or manufacture Ethanedinitrile in Containment. Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 13 February 2019

APP203545 by Adria New Zealand Limited to import Mitron Flo herbicide, containing 700g/litre of the active ingredient metamitron in the form of a suspension concentrate, to control weeds in red beet, fodder beet, sugar beet and mangolds. Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 22 February 2019

APP203411 by Orion AgriScience Limited to import and manufacture CORSAIR, a soluble concentrate herbicide containing 510 g/L 2,4-D and 11 g/L flumetsulam to control broad leaf weeds in pasture. Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 26 February 2019

APP203790 by Sumitomo Chemical Australia Pty Limited to import or manufacture SCAL 5188 W for release. Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 26 February 2019

Withdrawn applications 

No hazardous substance applications, previously notified, were withdrawn in this period.

Amendments to approvals

No amendments were made under section 67A of the HSNO Act for minor or technical errors, decided by the EPA or the Chief Executive under delegated powers from the EPA during this period.

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.