Hon Dr Nick Smith Minister for the Environment
15 December 2008
Minister welcomes insecticide decision
The decision by the Environmental Risk Management Authority to cease the use of the insecticide endosulfan reinforces
the importance of an independent scientific system of assessment, says Environment Minister Nick Smith.
"There has been public concern about the environmental safety of this insecticide that led to the decision to reassess
its use and today's decision shows those concerns were justified.
"ERMA followed a comprehensive reassessment process on the use and effects of the chemical gathering information both
locally and internationally.
"The decision was carefully made weighing up a number of adverse effects on the environment and human health.
"ERMA has concluded that those factors outweighed any positive effects associated with the availability of endosulfan in
New Zealand.
"New Zealand needs to protect its clean, green image by taking a cautious approach to the use of hazardous chemicals."
ENDS