Organic Weed Killer Heading For NZ Shops

April 23, 2002

World’s First Certified Organic Weed Killer Heading For NZ Shops

Statement made by Dr Earl Stevens, Managing Director,
Certified Organics Limited

Certified Organics will have its world’s first certified organic range of “ready to use” weed control products for the home and garden market in a wide range of New Zealand shops from late May 2002.

The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) has approved the new Organic Interceptor Premix home & garden products, and so the company can now begin in earnest the launch of its Organic Interceptor™ pine extract invention.

This was the final approval on which we have been waiting before selling our organic weed killer through hardware stores and garden centres in May, to be followed by supermarkets in spring.

Our market research and feed back from the retail trade tell us there is strong demand for our new certified organic products from consumers who have increasing concerns about chemicals affecting the environment and the food chain.

Given a choice, many consumers will switch from conventional chemical herbicides to a certified organic weed control product for use around their home and garden.

Initially, we will market Organic Interceptor™ in three variants – for general weeds, pathways, and for moss and lichen – in 750ml ready to spray, trigger packs.

Organic Interceptor™ is already available to the home, garden and lifestyle market segments in concentrate form, in a range of pack sizes.

Extensive distribution arrangements are already in place with the major retail outlets to stock the product.

Organic Interceptor™ products have organic certification in New Zealand from BIO-GRO and AgriQuality Certenz. In Australia it has BFA and NASAA certification, and OCIA certification in North America.

In retail outlets Organic Interceptor™ products will compete against conventional chemical herbicides and our research has shown we will be competitive on price.

In terms of health and environmental benefits, Organic Interceptor™ products are in a league of their own. There is virtually no problem with spray drift; they leave no residue on plants or crops; do not accumulate in the soil; do not harm insects such as honey bees, worms or soil microbial life; and are safe for use by people who are sensitive to chemicals.

In field trials, it has been proven that Organic Interceptor™ is comparable to chemical herbicides against a wide range of weed species.

Organic Interceptor™ is a contact weed killer, not a systemic poison like many conventional herbicides, and kills weeds through dehydration of the plant. To achieve maximum efficiency, thorough coverage and wetting of weeds is required.

We are currently finalising data from numerous field trials here and in Australia to support an application to the ACVM Board for approval to market Organic Interceptor™ to agricultural, horticultural and viticultural markets. The application should be submitted during May.

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