Lengthy expensive process
Grower group NZKGI chief executive Colin Bond welcomed the decision. He said a ban would have had a massive economic impact, closing orchards and hurting the communities that relied on the industry’s prosperity.
“The reality is a wrong decision today would’ve spelt the end for some growers’ businesses. As many as 15 percent of the industry we think wouldn’t have survived, and another 15 percent approximately would’ve been under severe financial stress, so the outcome is extremely important and we are grateful we got the right outcome today.”
He said the reassessment of the chemical has been a marathon and a costly one.
“It’s been frustrating that we’ve spent five years to come to this conclusion,” Bond said.
“It’s been a huge amount of investment from KGI and other industry stakeholders in terms of the retained earnings and the money we’ve had to put on the line to fight this case.
“If we’re going to have a successful primary industry in this country, we need to make sure the EPA, the regulator, is fit for purpose, so we feel that more work needs to be done there.”
NZKGI will now analyse the impact of the new restrictions and eventually consult its growers about them.
Ministers pleased
The government has also welcomed the decision, including both Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay.
Simmonds said the decision was based on an appropriate balance between environmental and economic concerns.
“The EPA has found the product is non-carcinogenic and that health and environmental impacts can be mitigated by rules to protect workers and limit spray drift,” Simmonds said.
She labelled it “unfortunate” that the EPA took more than four years to make its decision.
“I have made it clear to the EPA that they must prioritise decision making, compliance, monitoring and enforcement functions. Reassessments should be completed in a timely manner to provide certainty to industry.”
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay said he will discuss the rule changes with industry to better understand the operational effects and their impacts on growers.
RNZ