19 November 2015

Notice of hearing for Poncho Votivo application

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) advises a hearing is scheduled for an application by Bayer New Zealand Limited to import Poncho Votivo, an insecticide for use as a seed treatment in wheat, maize, forage brassicas and grass seed.

Poncho Votivo contains the active ingredients clothianidin (a neonicotinoid) and Bacillus firmus, a non-pathogenic soil-dwelling micro-organism (nematicide). Poncho Votivo is a reformulation of Poncho, which is already registered as a seed treatment in New Zealand. Poncho Votivo contains less clothianidin than Poncho and has Bacillus firmus added. This application was publicly notified because Bacillus firmus is a new pesticide active ingredient to New Zealand. The submission period was from 15 October 2014 to 27 November 2014, and 19 submissions were received.

The hearing will be held on Thursday 3 December 2015 at Willeston Conference Centre, Level 7, 22–28 Willeston St, Wellington. It will begin at 9.30am.

At the end of all presentations by the EPA and submitters, the decision-making committee will adjourn the hearing and make its decision. The decision will be available on the EPA website.

• View application details and information

The EPA’s role is to decide on applications under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act to import and manufacture hazardous substances. We put controls in place to manage the risks of hazardous substances to safeguard people and the environment.

ENDS

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