HortNZ welcomes progress on crop protection reforms

Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) says growers will welcome changes to improve access to safe and effective crop protection tools, and is urging Parliament to pass the reforms before the general election.

The Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Amendment Bill, reported back from the Primary Production Select Committee on 3 September, includes changes to reduce duplication in approvals and speed up access to safe and effective crop protection products.

“Growers need timely access to safe and effective products so they can manage pest and disease pressures and keep supplying New Zealanders and global customers,” says Kate Scott, chief executive of HortNZ.

“These changes are a practical step toward reducing unnecessary duplication and delays, while ensuring decisions continue to protect people, the environment and trade.”

A key improvement is that decision makers will be required to ‘take into account’ relevant international assessments of products, rather than only ‘having regard’ to them.

“This sends a stronger signal that New Zealand should make effective use of robust assessments by trusted overseas regulators, supporting faster approvals without lowering standards,” says Scott.

“Better use of trusted international assessments will help growers access newer and safer crop protection tools sooner, while maintaining country-specific requirements that matter for New Zealand.”

HortNZ also welcomes steps by the Ministry for Primary Industries’ ACVM and the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to make greater use of each regulator’s assessments, with the aim of improving efficiency and timeliness of product assessments.

“Effective crop protection is essential to managing pest and disease pressures, reducing crop losses, protecting quality and meeting domestic and export market expectations.

“The Government and regulators should continue to prioritise applications that matter most for growers, use international harmonisation where appropriate, and establish faster pathways for new crop protection tools, including biological and innovative products.

“Horticulture is one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing and most valuable food-producing sectors. Growers need regulatory settings that support productivity, resilience and innovation.

“The industry generates billions in value across domestic and export markets on less than 0.1 percent of the country’s land area.”

HortNZ is encouraging all parties to support the ACVM Amendment Bill through its remaining stages and progress the companion Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act reforms, so growers can benefit from a more efficient, proportionate and internationally aligned regulatory system.

“How the changes are implemented and operationalised will be critical, and we will continue working with relevant government agencies to help ensure the reforms deliver practical value for growers and the wider horticulture sector,” says Scott.

“Passing these reforms will help ensure growers can continue supporting regional communities, strengthening food production and contributing to New Zealand’s export growth.”