Methyl bromide reassessment under way
The reassessment of the fumigant methyl bromide is now under way, with staff at ERMA New Zealand gathering information and research data in order to prepare a report on the risks, costs and benefits of its use in New Zealand.
This first stage is expected to take about six months and will include consultation with iwi and Māori groups, input from industry and government departments as well as scientific and expert findings from other relevant organisations here and overseas.
As part of this information gathering, ERMA New Zealand’s methyl bromide reassessment team observed a fumigation at CentrePort, Wellington, recently, to see how the substance is used.
The Port visit was arranged by MAF Biosecurity and involved a shipment of railway sleepers from South America which were treated with methyl bromide.
Methyl bromide kills a wide range of pests in soil, food and manufactured goods. Its main use in New Zealand is to kill bugs before timber and logs are imported or exported, though other items may be fumigated with methyl bromide.
One of the main concerns associated with methyl bromide is its ozone depleting qualities. Accordingly, its use in soil by strawberry growers is being phased-out under the Montreal Protocol. When current stocks are used up, methyl bromide’s sole use in New Zealand will be for quarantine and pre-shipment purposes, in the fumigation of logs and other risk goods.
Logs at CentrePort, Wellington
Once preliminary information is gathered, ERMA New Zealand will publicly notify the reassessment and call for public submissions. This is expected to be later this year.
Hazardous Substances Reassessments Manager Mike Morris says submissions form an important part of the reassessment process as they can add important information for the Authority to consider when making its decision.
After submissions have closed, those submitters who wish to do so, may attend a hearing to address the Authority. Hearings, if any, would take place early in 2010, with a decision expected to be announced in mid-2010.
In the coming months, ERMA New Zealand will provide regular updates on the progress of the reassessment, including writing to interested parties and establishing a dedicated area on its website.
For further information on the reassessment, or if you are interested in receiving updates on progress, contact: Sarah Kenward, Senior Communications Advisor, 04 918 4813.
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Perspective is the newsletter of the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA New Zealand) and is published three times a year.
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Editor: Sarah Kenward | PERSPECTIVE | ERMA New Zealand | PO Box 131, Wellington 6140 | Phone: +64 4 918 4813 | Fax: +64 4 914 0433