New Zealand EPA Proposes to Ban Chlorpyrifos Following Reassessment of Risks

New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has launched a full reassessment of chlorpyrifos (CAS No 2921-88-2), an organophosphate insecticide widely used by professionals to control pests on crops and plants. This reassessment comes after new data showed that the risks to human health and the environment in New Zealand outweigh the benefits of using chlorpyrifos. EPA is now proposing to revoke all approvals for chlorpyrifos, effectively banning its import, manufacture and use in the country.

Key Findings Supporting the Proposed Ban

1. Increased Human Health Risks:

   • Updated assessments show that the toxicological threshold for adverse effects is now 10 times lower than previously established.

   • Many uses of chlorpyrifos pose significant health risks to spray operators, workers in treated areas, and bystanders.

2. Environmental Concerns:

   • Chlorpyrifos poses severe risks to birds, bees, and aquatic ecosystems, making widespread use dangerous.

3. International Regulatory Trends:

   • Chlorpyrifos has been banned in Canada and the European Union. Australia has prohibited most uses, while the United States continues its review. These global actions reflect the declining acceptance of the chlorpyrifos in agriculture.

4. Diminished Practical Benefits:

   • With increasing international restrictions, the economic and practical benefits of chlorpyrifos are increasingly limited.

Public Consultation Open Until February 2025

EPA is seeking feedback on its proposal to ban chlorpyrifos. Comments will be accepted until 12 February 2025 (11:59 PM NZDT). Stakeholders are encouraged to submit quantitative data on risks, benefits, and potential costs of alternatives.

How to Submit Feedback:

• Online: Complete the secure submission form

• Email: Send submissions to reassessments@epa.govt.nz

• Mail: Environmental Protection Authority, Private Bag 63002, Wellington 6140

Next Steps in the Reassessment Process

After submission period closes, EPA will compile a decision-making report that incorporates public feedback. If requested, a public hearing will be organized before the EPA committee finalizes its decision. Updates and the final outcome will be published on the EPA website.

Potential Impacts of the Ban

If the ban is implemented:

• Chlorpyrifos will no longer be legally imported, manufactured or used in New Zealand.

• The decision aligns with the ongoing review of chlorpyrifos as a persistent organic pollutant (POP) under the Stockholm Convention, which could result in a global restriction.