Report on herbicide use

Press, 1 June 1985, Page 3

Report on herbicide use

; By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington Important changes in the use of herbicides in New Zealand have been recommended in a report to the iGovernment a, Special •working ; party of ?and industry > representatives. r .. This committee was set up to consider damage from herbicides, and the reason for the continuing damage by herbicides to non-target .plants. < The report says that restrictions on the use of hormone weedkillers during the growing season (from Sep-

tember to May) have not proved to be justified and so should not be imposed any longer. Farmers should be encouraged to spray their pas4 tures, where possible, before , ' the start of the growing, season, • the report said; ■ That would go a considerable way towards avoiding plant damage. Regulation 10 of the Pesticides Regulations, 1983, on the “reckless use” of herbicides, ought to be replaced with a more suitable wording. That would make causing plant damage an offence irrespective of how the

damage occurred. A suitable “hazard statement” should be designed for incorporation on herbicide labels, the report said. Finance should be made available to fund a publicity campaign ? to. promote the safe and effective use of herbicides. - Greater co-operation between all organisations involved with herbicides (both statutory and community) and individuals should be encouraged. The report has now gone to the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Moyle, for consideration. His decision is expected soon.