Herbicide approved for use on cereal crop weeds

22 February 2016

Herbicide approved for use on cereal crop weeds

An application from Dow AgroSciences (NZ) Ltd to import the herbicide GF-2687 has been approved by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

The application was for a wettable granule herbicide containing two ingredients not previously approved under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act – halauxifen methyl and florasulam. GF-2687 is to be used for the control of broadleaf weeds in cereal crops, including wheat and barley.

The application was open for public submissions and seven were received, three in support, two opposing aerial use and two opposing the application. A public hearing was held in December 2015 to discuss the benefits, risks and costs associated with this herbicide during the various stages of its life cycle.

“The application to release the herbicide GF-2687 was approved with controls by the decision-making committee, in accordance with the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act,” said Applications and Assessment General Manager Sarah Gardner. Controls are conditions or rules that restrict how an approved substance can be applied to protect people and the environment. An example might be requiring those using the substance to wear protective clothing such as gloves.

“The committee identified that there were risks associated with GF-2687. However, it is possible to manage these risks by applying controls. The committee also determined that there were significant benefits of approving the substance, in particular the fact that it provides extra modes of action to reduce the risk of weeds developing resistance. Controls imposed on the GF-2687 approval include the setting of maximum application rates and minimum amounts of time that must pass before re-application of the substance, prohibiting the direct application into or onto water, the setting of buffer zones, and labelling requirements,” she said.

• View decision and more information

The EPA’s role is to decide on applications under the HSNO Act to import and manufacture hazardous substances. We put controls in place to manage the risks of hazardous substances to safeguard people and the environment.

ENDS

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