Fungicide alert issued

Wellington: The Environmental Protection Authority has issued its first red alert after cancelling its approval for four kinds of fungicides commonly used by New Zealand gardeners.

The notice has been issued in an effort to warn the public about the dangers of using products containing chlorothalonil, a pesticide used to control fungal leaf diseases in plants, EPA chief executive Allan Freeth said yesterday.

The agency revoked its approval for Yates Bravo, Yates Greenguard, Yates Guardall and Tui Disease Eliminator.

‘‘However, it is important to note that they do not make up an exhaustive list; they are only the products of which we are currently aware,’’ EPA’s general manager of hazardous substances, Fiona ThomsonCarter, said. — NZN