Find out how to safely and legally dispose of used or unwanted agrichemicals. View a list of banned agrichemicals and specific information on the recently banned Endosulfan based agrichemicals
Banned and illegal agrichemicals
The importation, manufacture and use of agricultural chemicals is now regulated under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996. Substances that have not been transferred to HSNO as of 1 July 2006 cannot legally be used in New Zealand unless a new HSNO approval is obtained and the agrichemical remains registered under the Agricultural Chemicals and Veterinary Medicines Act.
In 2003, in accordance with the Stockholm Convention, the HSNO Act was amended to ban the import, manufacture and use of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in New Zealand. POPs include:
- Aldrin
- Chlordane
- DDT
- Dieldrin ndrin Heptachlor
- HCB (Hexachloro – Benzene)
- Mirex oxaphene (Camphechlor)
Other agrichemicals that are illegal to use are:
- 2,4,5-T
- BHC (Benzene Hexachloride)
- Captafol
- Nicotine Sulphate
- Strychnine
- Sulfallate
If you come across agrichemicals that are either “banned” or “illegal to use”, these should be stored until they can be disposed of appropriately. For more information, refer to the ERMA information pamphlet “Do you have banned pesticides on your farm?” available at www.ermanz.govt.nz.
Endosulfan use prohibited - safe disposal required
From 16 January 2009, it will no longer be legal to import, manufacture, or use Endosulfan and formulations containing Endosulfan in New Zealand. The prohibition is the outcome of a formal reassessment of the chemical by The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA), as empowered under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996.
All unused and partially-used stock of Endosulfan must be disposed of by 17 January 2010 (within 12 months of the Authority’s reassessment decision taking effect on 16 January 2009).
What is Endosulfan?
Endosulfan is a chemical used as an insecticide on crops and turf, in formulations. The following products containing Endosulfan have been sold in New Zealand for commercial use (it is not sold for domestic use):
- ENDO 350EC
- Thiodan
- Thionex Insecticide
- Flavylan 350EC
Safe disposal required
From 16 January 2009, people holding stock of Endosulfan will have to dispose of it safely and legally within 12 months - it will be illegal to use it or dump it. Contact the manufacturer/importer of the chemical - you have to see if they are taking it back and disposing of it on their customer’s behalf.
Disposal options
Don’t make old agrichemicals the next generation's problem by shoving them to the back of the shed or in the farm pit – there are many easy safe ways to dispose of these hazardous substances.
You can participate in an Agrecovery, agrichemical collection, this service is free for some chemicals – see the Agrecovery website for details.
- If you are in the Ashburton District, contact your District Council to register for the targeted agrichemical collection. You can also contact a commercial contractor from the list below or the yellow pages.
- If you are in Christchurch, Kaikoura, Hurunui, Mackenzie, Selwyn, Timaru, Waimakariri, Waimate or Waitaki, you will need to contact a commercial contractor from the list below or from the yellow pages, because these districts have completed their targeted agrichemical collection.
The following list was supplied by ERMA New Zealand; contractors that only serve the North Island are not shown. When using a commercial contractor you should ask for proof of legal disposal.
For information about the reassessment / banning of Endosulfan, please contact ERMA New Zealand on 0800 376 234 or see http://www.ermanz.govt.nz/endosulfan