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Endosulfan use banned from 16 January 2009

2009-01-13

From 16 January 2009 it is no longer legal to use chemical formulations containing Endosulfan on vegetable crops. Endosulfan is the active ingredient in products such as Thiodan 35 EC, Thionex and Flavyan 350 EC that have been used as an insecticide on some vegetable crops, including tomatoes and potatoes.

 

The prohibition was imposed in mid December 2008 by the government’s Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA). It resulted from a formal re-assessment of the chemical made under the Hazardous Substances and New organisms Act 1996 (HSNO Act).

 

If use is detected; e.g. via routine residue testing or a complaint, by one of the enforcement agencies, then action can be taken. It is no defence to claim ignorance of the ban and continue to use Endosulfan. 

 

All unused stocks of Endosulfan must be disposed of within the next 12 months; i.e. by 17 January 2010. Safe disposal is required and this does not include using it. Not only using Endosulfan beyond 16 January is illegal, it will also be illegal to dump it.

 

The disposal options being recommended by ERMA are:

1. Contact your regional or district council to ascertain if they are collecting unused stocks or if they can be dropped off at a recognised transfer station.
2. Contact a commercial hazardous waste operator – see the Yellow Pages.

 

The HSNO Act does not provide for compensation to growers holding stocks of Endosulfan or for the cost of its disposal. 

 

The ERMA notice about the prohibited use and safe disposal requirements and its media release can also be viewed below.

 

Ken Robertson

Senior Business Manager

Fresh Tomato Product Group

 

** The ERMA notice about the prohibited use and safe disposal requirements can be downloaded here and ERMA's media release can be found here