News and Events

 

 

What's New

  • Minor Amendment to Approval « 7 August 2008 « ERMA New Zealand has received an application from AgResearch for a minor amendment to their approvals for field testing genetically modified cattle (applications GMF98009 Part I and Part II).
  • Erma Receives GM Animals Applications « 7 August 2008 « The Environmental Risk Management Authority has received four related applications from AgResearch Ltd to conduct wide-ranging genetic modification research of animals in scientific containment facilities. General Manager New Organisms Dr Libby Harrison said the applications covered the laboratory testing of cell lines and smaller species of genetically modified animals as well as the outdoor testing of larger species. The animals include cows, goats, sheep, possums and hamsters, among others.
  • New Code of Practice for firework displays « 31 July 2008 « The purpose of the code is to ensure the safe handling of pyrotechnics and the safe and practical management of outdoor pyrotechnic displays. It is designed to assist people involved in all aspects of outdoor displays to understand their obligations under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms regulations.
  • Proposed changes to Regulation of GM Crop Management « 31 July 2008 « Proposals for new regulations for the management of genetically modified crops under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act are open for public input. The proposed regulations were announced by Environment Minister Trevor Mallard today.
  • Public Hearing on GM Horse Flu Vaccine « 30 July 2008 « A public hearing on an application to use a genetically modified equine influenza vaccine has been scheduled by ERMA New Zealand for mid September in Wellington. Public submissions on the application have now closed. Acting General Manager New Organisms Geoff Ridley said a total of 29 submissions on the New Zealand Racing Board and the Equine Health Association application to import the Proteqflu and Protecqflu Te vaccines which contain a GM virus.
  • GM Allium Report Released « 28 July 2008 « ERMA New Zealand has today released an Evaluation and Review Report on a Crop and Food Research application to field test genetically modified (GM) plants of the allium family. The application is to test in containment GM onion, spring onion, leek and garlic plants to assess their performance in the field and their environmental impact.
  • Amended Group Standards for Cosmetics « 24 July 2008 « The Environmental Risk Management Authority has released amended Group Standards for Cosmetics.
  • ERMA New Zealand to reassess Methyl Bromide. « 22 July 2008 « The Environmental Risk Management Authority has decided that valid grounds exist for the reassessment of the fumigant methyl bromide ? the first step in a process that will determine if it can continue to be used in New Zealand.
  • Shaun Ogilvie appointed to the Authority. « 18 July 2008 « ERMA New Zealand is pleased to announce that a new member to the Authority has been appointed.
  • Media Release - Final Step to Ban PCP « 17 July 2008 « The insecticide and fungicide pentachlorophenol (PCP) has had its approvals formally revoked by the Environmental Risk Management Authority following a reassessment of its risks and benefits.
  • Proposal for minor or technical amendments to approvals to 1080 « 17 July 2008 « The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA New Zealand) wishes to advise that in accordance with the Authority's policy regarding informing the public of certain minor or technical amendment applications. Under section 67A of the HSNO Act, the Authority may amend an approval if it considers that the alteration is minor in effect or corrects a minor or technical error.
  • Re-notification of Application for Biological Control of Tradescantia. « 3 July 2008 « ERMA New Zealand is re-advertising an application to import and release a Brazilian beetle to control the weed Tradescantia fluminensis, commonly known as wandering willie. Expert taxonomic research had shown that the beetle should be called Neolema ogloblini rather than Lema obscura, noting that both species are extremely similar in appearance and biology.
  • ERMA New Zealand seeks views on ENDOSULFAN « 30 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.
  • GM Horse Flu vaccine application « 17 June 2008 « The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA New Zealand) has received an application from the equine industry to use a genetically modified (GM) vaccine to protect New Zealand horses against the equine influenza virus.
  • ERMA New Zealand plans GM crops hearing « 5 June 2008 « The Environmental Risk Management Authority expects to hold a public hearing in Christchurch in August or September to hear oral submissions on the New Zealand Institute for Crop and Food Research?s application to field test a range of genetically-modified vegetable species.
  • Amendment to GMF99001 and GMF99005 Approved « 28 May 2008 « The Forest Research Institute (trading as Scion) applied for a minor amendment to its approvals for the field testing of genetically modified pine and spruce trees (GMF99001 and GMF99005). These minor amendments have been approved.
  • New User Guide Thresholds and Classifications Published « 16 May 2008 « The Environmental Risk Management Authority have published a new User Guide titled "User Guide to the Thresholds and Classifications under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996". The documents are available as PDF, Word and also published as an e-book. Hard copies and a CD are also available on request.
  • Amendment to GMF99001 and GMF99005 « 6 May 2008 « The Forest Research Institute (trading as Scion) has applied for a minor amendment to its approvals for the field testing of genetically modified pine and spruce trees (GMF99001 and GMF99005).
  • Application to field test genetically modified onions Leeks and Garlic « 11 April 2008 « The Environmental Risk Management Authority has received an application from the New Zealand Institute for Crop and Food Research to field test genetically-modified onions, spring onions, garlic and leeks.
  • Database for Reporting to the Authority after an Aerial 1080 Application « 1 April 2008 « The decision on the reassessment of 1080 was notified in August 2007. As part of the additional controls imposed by the Authority, a written report must be submitted to the Authority on all operations involving the aerial application of 1080. This requirement is in response to the concerns expressed by many submitters in relation to the aerial application of 1080 and will provide a central database of information on aerial 1080 operations.
  • User Guide to Thresholds and Classifications « 31 March 2008 « The User Guide to Thresholds and Classifications under the HSNO Act has been revised (March 2008) and is now available in hard copy. Please contact publicationinfo@ermanz.govt.nz to order a copy. An electronic version and CD will be available shortly and published on the ERMA New Zealand website.
  • Request for Proposals « 25 March 2008 « ERMA New Zealand is in the process of evaluating the relevance to New Zealand of the OECD ESD for Antifouling Paints and Wood Preservatives.We are now seeking expert advice. The requests for proposal sets out our requirements for this work.
  • New Chair Appointed « 6 March 2008 « Environment Minister Trevor Mallard is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Woods as the new chair of the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA). Mr Woods will start his three year term on 11 April and replaces Neil Walter who has served for five years.
  • Inventory of chemicals updated « 22 February 2008 « The New Zealand Inventory of Chemicals (NZIoC) has been updated with the recent notifications. Forty four new chemicals have been added to the NZIoC in this update. Please refer to the ERMA New Zealand web site for these updates.
  • Authority clarifies AgResearch GM Approvals « 14 January 2008 « Recent reports have suggested that AgResearch might obtain an amendment to its current genetically modified cattle approvals so that it can move the animals around the country. Furthermore, the stories suggest that this application will not be open to public consultation. These reports are incorrect.
  • Proposals for Amendments to HS Fireworks Regs « 21 December 2007 « ERMA New Zealand is now formally seeking submissions on the proposals for changes to the Hazardous Substances (Fireworks) Regulations 2001.
  • Request for Proposal - COP Outdoor Pyrotechnic Displays. « 21 December 2007 « The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA New Zealand) has issued a Request for Proposal to develop a Code of Practice for Outdoor Pyrotechnic Displays.
  • Authority Approves Application to bring in Horse Flu Vaccine. « 21 December 2007 « The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA New Zealand) has approved an application by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity New Zealand (MAF BNZ) to use a vaccine to protect New Zealand horses against the equine influenza virus.
  • AgResearch Amendment Approved « 20 December 2007 « Lay summary of the AgResearch Amendment
  • 1080 Coordinator appointed « 19 December 2007 « ERMA New Zealand has appointed a person to coordinate the management of the 1080 watch list and the implementation of the recommendations of the reassessment decision.
  • HSNO Chemical Classification Database « 14 December 2007 « ERMA New Zealand has launched the new HSNO Chemical Classification Database (CCID) today. The purpose of this database is to provide information on the classification of chemicals
  • New Searchable NZIoC database « 14 December 2007 « ERMA New Zealand has announced that the New Zealand Inventory of Chemicals (NZIoC) page has been updated to include a searchable database.
  • Briefing for Minister « 12 December 2007 « ERMA New Zealand has today sent a briefing to the new incoming Minister, the Hon Trvor Mallard.
  • Horse Flu Vaccine « 5 December 2007 « The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity New Zealand (MAF BNZ) has lodged an application to use a vaccine to protect New Zealand horses against the equine influenza virus, the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA New Zealand) announced today.
  • Annual Report « 16 November 2007 « ERMA New Zealand has released the Annual Report as tabled in Parliament on the 14th November 2007. Hard Copies are available on application.
  • Summary of Approvals Documents « 12 November 2007 « ERMA New Zealand has made some minor changes to the approvals for substances made by way of Transfer Notices published by the New Zealand Gazette Office. These notices detailed the classifications and controls for all substances transferred under the notice. However, since their publication, a number of minor amendments have been made to these approvals.
  • Group Standards for Graphic Materials « 2 November 2007 « ERMA New Zealand is releasing for consultation a new Group Standard for Graphic Materials. This group standard will be targeted at managing crayons, finger paints and children?s water colour paints in particular.
  • Fireworks Site « 25 October 2007 « ERMA New Zealand in conjuction with the NZ Police, NZ Fire Service and the Ministry for the Environment have launched a website to promote safety and detail the new laws pertaining to sales and storage of fireworks.
  • Genetically Modified Cattle « 25 October 2007 « AgResearch have applied for a minor amendment to their approval for the outdoor development of genetically modified cattle (application GMD02028).
  • 1080 Update October 2007 « 19 October 2007 « The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA New Zealand) welcomes progress being made on further research into the effects of 1080 following its decision to allow continued aerial use of the pesticide.
  • Notice of Hearing - Reassesment of Distance Ant Bait « 10 October 2007 « The Environmental Risk Management Authority is to hold a hearing on an application by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity New Zealand (MAF BNZ)
  • New Management Regime for 1080 « 13 September 2007 « The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA New Zealand) has begun setting up the new management regime for the pesticide 1080.
  • Code of Practice ISO 11119-1 for consultation « 11 September 2007 « The Environmental Risk Management Authority Code of Practice for Gas Cylinders of Composite Construction Designed to ISO 11119-1 open to consultation
  • GM Onion Research - Rules Not Breached « 10 September 2007 « The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA New Zealand) says Crop and Food Research has not breached biosecurity rules in its research involving genetically modified (GM) onions.

Get the latest news by RSS (What is RSS?)