Notice of hearing for agent to combat pest

Notice of hearing for agent to combat tomato, potato, capsicum and tamarillo pest

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) advises that a hearing is scheduled on an application to introduce a parasitic wasp as a biological control agent to combat a psyllid that attacks tomatoes, potatoes, capsicums and tamarillos in New Zealand.

The application, from Horticulture New Zealand Inc, on behalf of a number of growers’ industry groups, seeks approval to release the psyllid parasitoid Tamarixia triozae (the wasp) to kill the tomato potato psyllid or TPP (Bactericera cockerelli). This application was made under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996

The public were invited to make submissions on the application and the EPA received 36 submissions. A hearing to decide on the application will be held on Wednesday 4 May at the Clifton Conference Centre, Level 28, The Majestic Centre, 100 Willis Street, Wellington. It will begin at 9am. The final decision will be available on the EPA website.

• View application details and information

The EPA’s role is to decide on applications for the release of new organisms under the HSNO Act. We assess the benefits, risks and costs of releasing new organisms to safeguard people and the environment.

ENDS

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