Horticulture New Zealand says the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) needs to speed up its approval of crop
protection products, particularly those that are the most environmentally friendly.
‘The New Zealand Institute of Economic Research’s report released today by Agcarm estimates that our horticulture
industry would lose 75% of its value - approximately $4.875 billion a year - without crop protection products,’ says
Horticulture New Zealand Chief Executive, Mike Chapman.
‘Our industry cannot currently operate effectively without pesticides. However, where they can, our growers are
progressively lessening their use and want to move to products that are as environmentally friendly as possible.
‘HortNZ and the horticulture industry want to work with the EPA to speed up the approval of organic and synthetic
products that fight pests and diseases in the most sustainable, environmentally friendly way possible.
‘As today’s report also estimates, a one year delay in approval costs between $7 million to $70 million in lost GDP over
a decade.
‘This cost estimate can only increase given consumers are demanding that their food is grown with minimal environmental
impact, using as few and as friendly crop protection products as possible.’
ENDS