The rules for agrichemical application vary significantly between regional plans. A revised NZS 8409 (published in August 2021) incorporates the significant changes to the regulatory environment, technology and updates to good practice. It provides a consistent approach to the management of the environmental risks associated with agrichemical use and also introduces new tools to assist with risk management such as new requirements for notification and signage, recommended training and the introduction of an on-site risk assessment to be undertaken prior to all spraying.

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It is notoriously difficult to obtain a successful prosecution for off-target spray drift damage. As a result, there seems to be a reluctance to investigate claims of off-target drift - perhaps they are put in the 'too-hard' basket.

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But agrichemical users and their neighbours are both asking for more enforcement. Users who are doing the right thing want the cowboys brought into line.  And those on the receiving end of off-target spray drift want some consequences for those applying agrichemicals poorly.

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This presentation will focus on how regional councils can take an enforcement approach that focuses on the 'permitted activity' status of agrichemicals and how incorporation of NZS 8409 into regional plans can assist with this.  Draft templates will be provided, and feedback sought on how these could be improved for use by council staff.
 

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Jane Lamb
General Manager, New Zealand Agrichemical Education Trust

 

Jane has been with NZAET for ten years,  becoming General Manager in late 2017 just as the new regulatory environment for hazardous substances took effect. She has been heavily involved in the redrafting of NZS 8409:2021 Management of agrichemicals (published August 2021).

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