Decline of fungicide application

Media advisory

2 October 2014

Decline of fungicide application

A Decision-Making Committee of the EPA has declined an application from Tui Products Limited to manufacture or import the fungicide, Tui Disease Eliminator (APP202057), containing chlorothalonil. The decision is consistent with the purpose of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act.

The application was for the use of Tui Disease Eliminator by home gardeners as a non-systemic foliar fungicide spray for the leaves of vegetables, fruit, flowers and ornamental plants.

The Committee considered the benefits of the use of Tui Disease Eliminator would not be significant enough to outweigh the risks the substance poses to human health and the environment.

The Committee thanks everyone who provided information on which they based their decision.

You can read more about this application and the process followed on the EPA website here: http://www.epa.govt.nz/search-databases/Pages/applications-details.aspx?appID=APP202057

The Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) role is to oversee applications for hazardous substances under the HSNO Act. We put controls in place to manage the risks of hazardous substances to safeguard people and the environment.

ENDS

Background

A hearing was held on Thursday 21 August by an independent Decision-Making Committee.

The hearing provided sufficient information for the decision-making committee to proceed with consideration of the application.

Tui Disease Eliminator is intended to be used as a spray on the leaves of vegetables, fruit, flowers and ornamental plants. It would be applied using a hand-held, low pressure spray. It is designed to be sprayed in high volumes, until the spray runs off the leaf.

Default regulations require persons handling the substance to use protective clothing and equipment. It is not realistic to assume that home gardeners would wear correct levels of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Young children coming into contact with recently treated surfaces would not be wearing any form of protective clothing or equipment and would be at risk of exposure to the substance.

Assessment of the Tui Disease Eliminator application was required to take into account new information and to also undertake a quantitative human health risk assessment.

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