27 June 2008
The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA New Zealand) is calling for public submissions on the continued use of the insecticide endosulfan.
ERMA New Zealand initiated a reassessment of endosulfan following the
imposition of tighter restrictions or withdrawal of endosulfan from the
market in Australia, the United States and Europe.
In New Zealand, the insecticide is used on a variety of crops including
vegetables, berry fruit and ornamentals. It is also used on citrus and
for earthworm control on turf at golf courses, bowling clubs, parks,
sports grounds, and airports. Use has declined over the past 10 years.
ERMA New Zealand’s Reassessments Manager, Hazardous Substances, Mike
Morris, says while endosulfan is currently subject to strict controls,
the combination of changes in overseas practice and the availability of
less hazardous alternative insecticides means the time has come to ask
whether endosulfan is needed in New Zealand and, if so, whether its use
needs to be further restricted.
Endosulfan is classified as acutely toxic to humans and very toxic to
aquatic animals.
ERMA New Zealand’s reassessment application includes preliminary
recommendations that endosulfan be prohibited from aerial use, domestic
use, and for airblast application to citrus, and also that increased
restrictions and controls be placed on all other uses.
The application is open for public submissions to ERMA New Zealand until 8 August 2008. As this is a reassessment the online submission form is not available at this stage and only email or postal submissions can be made. Please click here to send a submission by email.
Letters should be posted to
Erma Submissions
PO Box 131
Wellington 6140.
Public submissions are invited on this reassessment and must be received
by Friday 8 August 2008. These can be made in writing or email. If submitters request it, a public hearing
will be held on the application.
The application details are available on the ERMA New Zealand website,
http://www.ermanz.govt.nz/endosulfan/
For further information contact:
Lesley Meadows, Communications Manager, ERMA New Zealand.
¨ Telephone +64 4 918 4835 ¨ Mobile 021 224 3304
¨ Facsimile +64 4 914 0433
¨ Email: lesley.meadows@ermanz.govt.nz