Your digest of Environmental Protection Authority news and events No images? Click here August 2022 We hope you enjoy reading this edition of Te Pūtara. We celebrate the New Zealand Young Farmer awards, highlight our recent chemical approvals and fast-track consent decisions, and take a look what's happening at our eDNA programme, Wai Tuwhera o te Taiao – Open Waters Aotearoa. We also have public consultations open for applications for a rat poison, and a new herbicide, and an application to introduce a new wasp into Aotearoa New Zealand to control the spread of an invasive acacia species. We're always keen for your feedback, including requests or ideas for the next edition of Te Pūtara. Please email info@epa.govt.nz. Congratulating the FMG Young Farmer of the Year winnersWe congratulate everyone who took part in this year’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year contest. The grand final took place in Whāngarei from 7 to 9 July. As a sponsor, we tested contestants’ knowledge and understanding of environmentally sustainable farming practices through a range of questions and activities. Our involvement enables greater discussion of environmental challenges. Agriculture is a major part of our economy and a major source of environmental impact. It was a tremendous opportunity to connect with a new generation of farmers who are focused on the future and their role in protecting the environment. Wasps to stop wattle invasionIt invades open habitats and scrubland, especially in coastal areas. It can form dense stands that modify vegetation and ecological processes and threaten regeneration patterns. The wasps do not bite or sting, and there are no native New Zealand insects that are closely related. Submissions close 11.59 pm, Friday, 30 September 2022. Hazardous substancesSubmissions open to approve new rodent poisonWe are seeking your input on an application from PelGar International Limited to import or manufacture two types of ready-to-use baits, containing the active ingredient difenacoum, for the control of rats and mice. Submissions close 5.00 pm, Friday 16 September 2022. Application for a new herbicide, Conviso OneSubmissions are open for an application to import or manufacture a new herbicide, Conviso One. The herbicide, used on beet varieties, would be restricted to professional users in commercial settings and applied using ground-based methods only. Submissions close 5.00 pm, Friday, 30 September 2022. Weedkiller, Method 240 SL, approved with controlsGMO blood cancer therapy gains EPA approvalWe have approved the import for release of a blood cancer immunotherapy that uses genetically modified cells from patients to target their own cancer. Fast-track consenting decisionsFederal Street apartment building approvedPlans to demolish a seven-level parking building in Federal Street, central Auckland, and construct a 55-storey, 357-unit residential apartment building have been granted resource consents. Hamilton residential development approvedThe new residential development and associated infrastructure at Rotokauri North, Hamilton, includes 285 residential allotments as well as land set aside for further development. Water reservoir for NorthlandA project to construct and operate a water storage reservoir and associated dams has been approved. it is situated in the upper catchment of a tributary of the Waitangi River in Waimate North, Northland. Wai Tuwhera o te Taiao – Open Waters AotearoaWai Tuwhera o te Taiao supports environmental groups to restore, monitor, and explore their environment through our waterways. Get involvedGet involved with Wai Tuwhera o te Taiao by registering as a new participant, watching interesting webinars or sign up for the monthly newsletter. Webinar – Visual storytelling: your eDNA results in contextStorytelling is a powerful tool for sharing your mahi with a wider audience. This webinar takes you through the basics of using StoryMaps, an online storytelling platform using maps, words and images. Upcoming webinarsWe run monthly webinars on topics relevant to the programme and eDNA interest topics. Possible poison?If you or a loved one have been exposed to something you shouldn’t have been, whether it’s a chemical, household product, medicine, plant, or something else, call the National Poisons Centre – there’s a chance you could safely manage the incident at home. Call 0800 764 766 or 0800 POISON No credit? No problem. Free to call from any cell phone, landline or payphone. |