This episode featured as part of the Agronomy segment in partnership with PGG Wrightson.

The Environmental Protection Authority is rebuilding the ecotoxicity modelling system that has slowed chemical approvals, a two-year project it says will speed up delivery of the tools farmers need to manage resistance.

“We’re very pleased to see these gradual improvements in our applications,” says Dr Fērnando Torres-Velez, General Manager of Hazardous Substances and New Organisms at the EPA.

The authority has processed 58 lower-complexity approvals this year, up from 57, and taken on extra staff.

“One of the issues with the existing models is that they really have not adapted over time; they’re time-consuming.

“Our scientists have to review an extensive amount of data and try to extrapolate that to the New Zealand conditions.”

The rebuilt models will be built and made public.

“Our hope is that the applicants will use those tools to begin with, so by the time that we receive the applications, a lot of the groundwork will already be done.”

He says the five-month processing timeline in the original HSNO legislation never fitted the work, who is looking to the amended bill to set realistic targets.

“I’m very optimistic that the targets of nine categories, B and Cs will be achieved next year.”

Make sure to contact PGG Wrightson to plan your crop and pasture requirements. You can find your local Technical Field Representative or store team here.

CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch/listen or download the CountryWide CONNECT mobile app, available on Apple iOS and Android.