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Five-year phase out for insecticideAZM
6 November 2009
Media Release
Five-year phase out for insecticideAZM
The insecticide azinphos methyl is to be phased out over five years, following a decision by the Environmental Risk Management Authority.
AZM is a broad-spectrum organo-phosphate used in New Zealand to control insects on crops including potatoes, summerfruit and strawberries.
Its use has been withdrawn in the European Union and there are moves to phase it out in Canada and the United States. A reassessment is also under way in Australia.
In its decision, the Authority revoked three approvals to import, manufacture or use AZM formulations not currently in useinNew Zealand.
The one formulation that is in use in New Zealand has been approved for use on potatoes, summerfruit and strawberries until December 2014, subject to additional controls.
The five-year phase-out recognises the need for alternatives to be developed to meet the needs of growers and is based, in part, on submissions providing information on the length of time needed to develop and trial potential alternative products.
Additional controls have been placed on the use of AZM in the phase out period to reduce its risks to people and the environment.
These include a ban on domestic use or aerial application of the substance, relabelling, creating buffer zones to protect bystanders and the environment, a requirement that protective equipment be worn by workers re-entering an area that has been sprayed, and limiting the number of applications per year.
ERMA New Zealand’s Hazardous Substances General Manager Andrea Eng says the submissions provided valuable information for the decision-making committee.
“The committee recognised there are some uses of AZM for which there are no registered alternatives and in these cases the risks and benefits are finely balanced,” Ms Eng says.
“A five-year phase-out will allow time for alternatives to be trialled and registered.”
To read the full decision, go to: http://www.ermanz.govt.nz/BertDocs/HRC07002%20Decision%20%20Final%20(200911%2005).pdf
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