The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) says proposed changes to the rules for hazardous substances will give the agricultural and horticultural industry a clearer path for making use of new chemicals in New Zealand.

Welcoming the ministerial announcement about enhancements following the Agricultural and Horticultural Products Regulatory Review, EPA Chief Executive Dr Allan Freeth said:

“The EPA has worked closely with other agencies to develop the proposed improvements to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (HSNO Act) which were given the green light by Cabinet yesterday.

“These changes will reduce the complexity for businesses applying to introduce chemicals while still maintaining strong environmental protections.

“Making these processes simpler means our farmers, horticulturalists and those in other industries who use chemical products will have better access to the products they need,” says Dr Freeth.

The proposed changes will:

• make it easier for applicants to apply in cases where chemicals have already been used safely in other countries
• allow the temporary use of some new products, provided they meet certain criteria, including safe use in other countries
• improve transparency around application timeframes and processes.

“We have 22 applications for new active ingredients for use in the agricultural / horticultural sector.

“These applications are a top priority for the team, who are currently working on the assessment of eight new active ingredients. Seven of these are for agricultural or horticultural use.”

The proposed changes will proceed as the Agricultural and Horticultural Products Regulatory Review Omnibus Bill.

In the meantime, the EPA will continue to progress a raft of other improvements designed to reduce the queue of hazardous substances applications, such as working with industry to find ways to prioritise innovative chemicals, boosting our frontline staff, and investigating a streamlined process where lower-risk substances may not need an assessment, says Dr Freeth.

The ministerial statement – issued in the names of Regulation Minister David Seymour, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard – was headed

Farmers and growers to reap rewards

The statement says Cabinet accepted all of the Ministry for Regulation’s 16 recommendations to improve the new agriculture and horticulture product approval pathway.

“The changes will speed up the application process, make it clearer and more transparent, and ensure existing international research is utilised. It is estimated that reducing the current approval times for new products by half could generate benefits of about $272 million over 20 years,” Mr Seymour says.

“The seeds of innovation are sown and it’s officially the season for growth. The Minister for Food Safety and the Minister for the Environment will action these changes to streamline the product approval pathway. This means farmers and growers can utilise newer and better products faster.

Joint Ministers will be responsible for progressing an Omnibus Bill to provide legislative support and accelerate improvements.

Minister for the Environment Penny Simmonds says the Environmental Protection Authority will continue to work on improving the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) system.

“I have set a 10% reduction target for the HSNO queue in 2025/2026 and will set a more ambitious target in the next three months now that additional staff have been appointed for this work through reprioritisation of funding,” Ms Simmonds says.

Mr Hoggard has directed the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to improve Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) assessment processes”.

“I want a 20% queue reduction for ACVM products compared to the queues in October 2024, by the end of June 2025. By the end of June 2026 I want to see queues reduce by a further 30%.”

Mr Seymour says that in a high-cost economy, regulation is “a tax on growth’.

Every completed review makes it easier to do business, access services, and innovate in New Zealand, he says.

Agricultural and Horticultural Products Regulatory Review Report: https://www.regulation.govt.nz/assets/Publication-Documents/Agricultural-Horticultural-Products-Regulatory-Review-full-report.pdf

Agricultural and Horticultural Products Regulatory Review Summary Report: https://www.regulation.govt.nz/assets/Publication-Documents/Agricultural-Horticultural-Products-Regulatory-Review-summary-report.pdf

Other information about the review can be found on the Ministry for Regulation’s website: Agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review | Ministry for Regulation

Sources: Environment Protection Authority and the Beehive website.