Agrichemical application

(pesticides and herbicides)

The word "agrichemical" was made up to describe the many kinds of pesticides used in the agricultural industry (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and so on). The application of agrichemicals, especially in liquid or powder form, can result in losses from the target area. Such losses are collectively described as "drift". Off-target drift can contaminate water, and can kill, damage or contaminate neighbouring crops, gardens and non-target species.

Control of off-target drift is scattered through different pieces of legislation, including the Pesticides Act and regulations, the Health Act and the Resource Management Act. The New Zealand Agrichemical Education Trust prepared the Code of Practice for the Management of Agrichemicals for Standards New Zealand (NZS 8409:1999). The aim of the Code is to ensure that people follow responsible, safe, and effective practices when using and storing agrichemicals, with minimal adverse impact on human, environmental and animal health. We encourage all people who store and use agrichemicals to follow the practices advised in the Code.

Agrichemical application as powders and sprays, such as 2,4,D, as either a land based or aerial discharge, is controlled in the Regional Air Quality Management Plan. Agrichemical application as solids or pastes, such as 1080, as either a land based or aerial discharge, is controlled in the Regional Plan for Discharges to Land. Direct discharge of agrichemicals into water are controlled in the Regional Freshwater Plan.

Discharges to air

Rule 1 of the Regional Air Quality Management Plan permits land based spray or powder application of agrichemicals on domestic properties, trade and industrial premises, and in public and rural areas, subject to conditions specified in the rule.

Rule 2 of the Regional Air Quality Management Plan permits the aerial application of agrichemical sprays and powders, subject to conditions stated in the rule. These conditions are more extensive than those required for compliance with Rule 1.

Rule 23 of the Regional Air Quality Management Plan requires a discharge permit for land-based or aerial applications of agrichemicals that do not comply with the conditions of Rule 1 or Rule 2. This is a discretionary activity.

Discharges to land

Rule 16 of the Regional Plan for Discharges to Land permits the discharge of pesticides as solids or pastes by land based application methods, provided the discharge complies with conditions stated in the rule.

Rule 17 of the Regional Plan for Discharges to Land requires a discharge permit for discharges of pesticides as solids or pastes by aerial application methods. This is a controlled activity.

Rule 2 of the Regional Plan for Discharges to Land requires a discharge permit for discharges of pesticides as solids or pastes by land-based or aerial application methods if the discharge does not comply with the conditions in Rule 16, or the standards in Rule 17. This is a discretionary activity.

Discharges to fresh water

Rule 5 of the Regional Freshwater Plan requires a discharge permit for the discharge of agrichemicals into water. This is a discretionary activity.

Discharges to the coastal marine area

Rule 61 of the Regional Coastal Plan requires a coastal permit to discharge any contaminant or water onto land or into water in the coastal marine area, outside any Area of Significant Conservation Value, unless the activity is allowed or provided for by another rule. This is a discretionary activity. Note: no other rule allows or provides for discharges of agrichemicals to water in the coastal marine area.

Rule 62 of the Regional Coastal Plan requires a coastal permit to discharge any contaminant or water onto land or into water in the coastal marine area, within any Area of Significant Conservation Value, unless the activity is allowed or provided for by another rule. This is a non-complying activity. Note: no other rule allows or provides for discharges of agrichemicals to water in the coastal marine area.