Source: New Zealand Government
Farmers, growers and rural businesses are getting faster access to the products they need to protect crops, manage pests and remain competitive, Environment Minister Nicola Grigg says.
The latest Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) performance report shows good progress in reducing wait times for hazardous substances assessments, with the number of applications awaiting assessment halving since July 2024.
“For years, farmers and growers have told us they were frustrated by lengthy approval processes that delayed access to new products and innovations. We listened, and we’re seeing real progress.
“Since the start of the term, the EPA has made substantial improvements in processing applications, reducing the assessment backlog and getting decisions made faster while maintaining New Zealand’s robust environmental and health protections.”
The EPA completed 66 hazardous substances assessments in 2025/26, its highest annual total since 2018/19, and reduced the number of applications awaiting assessment by more than a third over the past year.
“This is a good example of the Government’s focus on fixing the basics. New Zealanders expect regulatory agencies to process applications efficiently and provide timely decisions, and that’s exactly what we’re seeing.
“These products play an important role in helping farmers, growers and other industries manage weeds, pests and invasive species, protect productivity, and continue producing high-quality goods for New Zealand and overseas markets.
The Government is also progressing reforms to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act to create a more efficient and responsive regulatory system.
“The proposed changes will streamline application processes and ensure farmers and growers can access the innovations they need to remain globally competitive, while maintaining the strong environmental safeguards New Zealanders expect,” Ms Grigg says.
The Primary Production Select Committee is expected to report back on the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Amendment Bill in September.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/13/faster-access-to-innovation-for-farmers-and-growers/