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NZ to restrict endosulfan
Jul. 16, 2008
The New Zealand Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) has called for restrictions on the use of the organochlorine insecticide, endosulfan, in light of regulatory action in Australia, the US and Europe. The ERMA has invited public submissions on a number of preliminary recommendations. The closing date for submissions is August 8th.
The ERMA proposes to ban aerial and domestic applications of endosulfan as these uses do not take place and have not been assessed. It also aims to ban airblast applications for citrus crops on the grounds that risks to operators and bystanders are “very high”.
Applications to turf should be restricted to one annual treatment, followed by immediate watering in, with no use of treated areas for 48 hours after treatment. Operator exposure remains high, even with full protective equipment, so the feasibility of lower application rates needs to be explored, the ERMA points out. Reduced rates and application frequencies may also be introduced for other uses to address risks to people and the environment.
The ERMA recommends 48-hour restricted entry intervals (REIs) for all crops, except for those requiring longer REIs: sweet potatoes, mustard, radishes and turnips (three days); brassicas (four days); blueberries (six days) and sweetcorn (ten days). REIs for greenhouse applications and “pick-your-own” berry orchards also need to be considered.
No-spray buffer zones around water bodies and the edges of treated crops should be introduced due to high risks to the aquatic environment and soil fauna, the ERMA notes. It considers a 100 m buffer zone to be appropriate on the basis of international findings.
Source: ERMA
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