EPA wants pesticide evidence
Hardware chains stop selling product linked to bee decline. Chris Hutching reports.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is calling for information about potentially bee-killing insecticide chemicals called neonicotinoids. Bunnings and Mitre 10 have announced they will stop selling them, the European Union has partially banned them, and a Swiss group has collected 100,000 signatures to force an official referendum there.
The EPA’S general manager of hazardous substances, Dr Fiona Thomson-carter, said she wanted to understand how and where they were being used within New Zealand.
‘‘We are seeking evidence from manufacturers, importers and industry users, on clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam.’’
Manufacturers, importers and users had until October 26 to supply information – on a voluntary basis.
‘‘We know that many New Zealanders don’t support the use of neonicotinoids. This call is specifically aimed at manufacturers, importers and industry users who are best-placed to provide us with a clear picture of the amount of neonicotinoids being used, where, when and how, and measures used to limit environmental exposure,’’ she said.
The move followed updated risk assessments published by the European Food Safety Authority in February.
Thomson-carter said the EU had passed a vote in April which meant that neonicotinoids can only be used as an insecticide in permanent greenhouses, or for the treatment of seeds intended to be used only in permanent greenhouses.
‘‘As the resulting crop must stay within a permanent greenhouse during its entire life cycle, this effectively prohibits all outdoor uses of neonicotinoids.’’
It was unclear what volume of the products were manufactured or imported in New Zealand.
Neonicotinoids had been used in New Zealand for more than 20 years and the EPA set strict rules around their application, she said.
‘‘To fully understand any potential new risks, it’s important that we gather data from across New Zealand. Our aim is to build a detailed understanding that will help us ensure our environment and our pollinators remain fully protected.
‘‘It’s an extensive and critical piece of work which we estimate may take several months to collate.’’
Beekeepers were also encouraged to complete the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Colony Loss and Survival survey, which was being sent to registered beekeepers.
Neonicotinoids were ‘‘systemic’’ insecticides, meaning they moved through plant tissues to protect the entire plant from insects.
They were used to control insects that can damage some fruit, ornamental, cereal and vegetable crops, she said. They were also used as a seed treatment in maize or wind-pollinated cereals to help crops become established.
The EPA rules include no spraying near hives, on crops likely to be visited by bees, or when bees are foraging, and no spraying when flowering crops or weeds are present in the treated area.
Thomson-carter said neonicotinoids were regulated under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act which required a statutory process to ban them.