- News from the Environmental Protection Authority –
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has approved a new insecticide, Reatis 480 FS, to control fall armyworm in maize and sweetcorn crops, after an application from Bayer New Zealand Limited.
The armyworm is a major invasive plant pest first spotted in Aotearoa New Zealand in February 2022. The moths were likely blown here from Australia.
Sweetcorn and maize are major hosts of these insects. Female moths can travel 100 km in one night and will typically lay up to 300 eggs after mating, with larvae hatching two to four days later. When numbers are high, larvae can move en masse, like an army, to find their preferred food source.
Left uncontrolled, this pest has the potential to have a major effect on the New Zealand economy. Maize is widely grown and critical for feeding livestock, an important part of New Zealand’s primary production sector. Worldwide, fall armyworms have caused billions of dollars of annual losses and damage to crops.
Dr Lauren Fleury, the EPA’s Manager of Hazardous Substances Applications, says a human health and environmental risk assessment for Reatis 480 FS found that, with proper controls, the risks of Reatis use to people and the environment are low.
“We considered material from the applicant, international regulators, reports and advice from our staff, including a science memorandum and Māori impact assessment, and advice from WorkSafe New Zealand and the New Zealand Agricultural Aviation Association.
“We looked at the risks and benefits of Reatis 480 FS and it was concluded that the benefits outweigh the risks, so long as controls are in place.”
Dr Fleury says the EPA is focused on improving the timeframes for complex hazardous substance applications, such as Reatis 480 FS.
“We have a range of initiatives underway, including making operational efficiencies, updating our ecotoxicological and toxicological models, and reprioritising specialist staff.
“The improvements will lead to faster access to innovative products while maintaining protections for people and the environment.”
Bayer now needs approval from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for agricultural use of Reatis 480 FS in New Zealand. Bayer submitted its application for approval to MPI last week. Should MPI approve, Reatis 480 FS would be able to be used for professional ground-based and helicopter application. Reatis 480 FS would be the first substance containing the active ingredient tetraniliprole to be used by helicopter.
* Read the approval document for this application HERE.
Source: Environmental Protection Authority
