By Mark Ross
With multiple companies offering disease and pest management solutions, farmers can be guaranteed that products
purchased from an Agcarm member are safe, sustainable and of high quality. Agcarm is a not-for-profit trade association,
representing over 60 companies that manufacture, distribute, research and sell projects to keep animals healthy and
crops thriving.
For over 70 years, Agcarm has taken a lead role in managing issues of importance to the crop protection and animal
medicines industries. This involves engaging with politicians, regulators and stakeholders to ensure that
decision-makers take account of industry’s views. It also ensures that industry aligns itself with best practice in the
management of pests and disease. Our members research the safest and best methods to do this. In the crop protection
industry, our manufacturers support the use of Integrated Pest Management (using all means available to tackle pests and
disease). They research all means of control, including biologicals, to ensure the best and most sustainable result for
farmers and growers.
Membership to the association is voluntary, with all applicants requiring Board endorsement before being accepted.
Agcarm backs this by ensuring all members comply with a Code of Conduct.
This Code certifies that Agcarm members meet industry standards. Compliance with it is a condition of membership - with
companies required to meet a number of obligations. This includes complying with relevant legislation, participating in
environmental stewardship programmes, acting ethically in product promotion and in accordance with the best interests of
industry.
Protecting the environment is integral to this, with support and participation of the rural recycling programme
Agrecovery being compulsory for members. Companies must also ensure that their products meet an appropriate standard,
all people involved with industry products are appropriately trained, and that they are supportive of ensuring
environmental sustainability.
In promoting a healthy environment, Agcarm is involved in a number of other stewardship campaigns, within the crop
protection and the animal medicines industries.
Bee health is high on the association’s agenda with regular campaigning to protect the wellbeing of New Zealand’s bee
population, and ensuring that products are used responsibly. The ‘Bee Responsible’ awareness campaigns were produced in
conjunction with the Rural Contractors and Agricultural Aviators associations to raise awareness of the importance of
protecting bees and providing guidance for doing so.
Preventing resistance management in animals and plants is another priority for the association and its members. As part
of this, Agcarm leads and supports programmes that prolong the effectiveness of crop protection and animal health
products liable to encounter resistance problems, and limit losses should resistance appear. This includes an integral
role in the Wormwise Trust - providing expert advice to farmers on managing worms on farms (anthelmintic resistance) as
well as antimicrobial resistance. Agcarm contributed to New Zealand’s Antimicrobial Resistance Plan which was submitted
to the World Health Organisation in May 2017.
The association’s ultimate purpose is to ensure that New Zealand continues to lead the world in producing safe, healthy
and sustainable food by using the best and safest technology. By dealing with an Agcarm member you too will be part of
this worthy goal. So, next time you are considering a purchase of a pesticide or animal medicine, ask if the company is
an Agcarm member and if they are you can be assured that you are dealing with knowledgeable staff and a quality product.
• Mark Ross is chief executive of Agcarm, the industry association for companies which manufacture and distribute crop
protection and animal health products.