The new rules come after the EPA’s red alert in August urging people to stop using weedkillers that contain the chemical.
This followed the United States Environmental Protection Agency banning the substance.
US data found it can affect fetal development and cause low birth weight and irreversible, life-long impacts, such as impaired brain development and motor skills.
The EPA has introduced restrictions to New Zealand so the weedkiller can only be used on soil where specific crops are grown, pregnant individuals or individuals who may be pregnant are prevented from using the substance or entering a site where it’s been used, and wide buffer zones further protect the public from spray.
All restrictions took effect from13 September.
“Putting these restrictions in place now is the quickest and most effective way for us to protect people’s health and safety,” says Dr Shaun Presow, hazardous substances reassessments manager.
“We have consulted with organisations that use this herbicide, and we have found that it’s not widely used in NZ, especially compared with the US.”
DCPA is mainly used here for controlling a specific weed in onion, garlic, and shallot crops before the vegetables emerge from the soil.
“These crops aren’t sprayed directly, and the substance breaks down before harvest, so we can assure people there is no risk through exposure from vegetables,” says Presow.
The EPA’s next steps are to gather and analyse all information on how these weedkillers are used in NZ, before carrying out a full review that may lead to further restrictions or a ban.
Meantime the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has cancelled all 12 products containing the herbicide chlorthal-dimethyl.
APVMA chief executive officer Scott Hansen says the APVMA identified an immediate risk of serious injury or serious illness which could result from use of these products.
“The APVMA has the power to act swiftly where we identify an imminent risk to human health and we are exercising that authority today with the cancellation of all products containing chlorthal-dimethyl.
“We haven’t taken this decision lightly and are exercising a high degree of caution in cancelling these products and ask those who hold them to cease use immediately. We will issue information on the product recall requirements shortly.”
Hansen said this decision brings Australia into alignment with international counterparts and reiterated that there is no phase out period for the products due to the risk to human health.
“The APVMA considers the risk of continued use to be unacceptable as the risk of exposure cannot be effectively mitigated.
“The primary risk is to pregnant people’s unborn babies, particularly where those people have handled the chemical or re-entered areas where the product has been used within the last five days.
“We understand the impact that this regulatory decision will have on industry, but the safety of people is of paramount importance.”