Glyphosate use in NZ

The EPA has issued a Call for Information (CFI) on the use of Glyphosate in New Zealand. The information provided to the EPA in this CFI will be used to assess whether there are grounds to reassess the use of glyphosate in New Zealand.

The grounds for reassessment are:
• there is significant new information about the effects of the chemical
• there has been a significant change in the chemical's use and quantity
• there is an alternative
• or as a consequence of changes to the Health and Safety at Work Act

ELI welcomes the current CFI on Glyphosate and thanks the EPA for the opportunity to submit information to this call.

Glyphosate is the active ingredient in approximately 90 herbicidal products, with Roundup being the most well- known brand. There are 8 forms of Glyphosate approved for use in New Zealand.

Glyphosate-based herbicides are the most commonly used herbicides in New Zealand. The regulation of these hazardous substances is therefore of national significance.

As an environmental NGO, we focus this submission on several key points relating to information about the effects of the chemical, specifically:

• the general toxic effects of glyphosate on ecosystems
• the deficiency of data pertaining to New Zealand on the effect of glyphosate
• the role of co-formulants/adjuvants in the toxicity of glyphosate-based herbicides
• the need for information on glyphosate use in practice
• the need for robust cost-benefit analysis of glyphosate
• the need for independent science

Read our full submission linked in the button below.