Source: Environmental Protection Authority
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) welcomes the recommendations in the Ministry for Regulation’s Agricultural and Horticultural Products Regulatory Review, which was released today.
Working with the Ministry for Primary Industries, Ministry for the Environment, and the EPA, the review aimed to identify system-wide opportunities to improve timely access to agricultural and horticultural products.
“The EPA recognises the importance that timely assessments and decisions on agrichemicals have for industry.
“We welcome the opportunity for further improvements to the legislation, and how we operate,” says EPA Chief Executive Dr Allan Freeth.
“We already have work underway that relates to some of the recommendations in the review.”
We are making a raft of changes to improve our timeframes for hazardous substance applications, including:
– bolstering our frontline by recruiting up to 11 new staff to assess applications
– developing new group standards for low-risk hazardous substances
– working with other agencies on amendments to the HSNO Act
– improving communication and transparency with applicants and stakeholders.
“We will continue to work closely with the other relevant agencies, and our stakeholders, to implement the report’s recommendations. This includes providing advice on technical and operational matters – including resourcing implications – so we are best placed to progress these improvements,” Dr Freeth says.
