His report, ‘Regulating the Environmental Fate of Chemicals’ HERE, examines how well our regulatory system takes account of the environmental fate of chemicals, including agrichemicals such as neonicotinoids, terbuthylazine, Zinc bacitracin (antibiotics mainly used for poultry) and tetracycline antibiotics used in vetinerary medicine applications.
The report found gaps in the way chemicals in the environment are regulated and in how their impact on living things is interpreted. It says many chemicals that have been in use for decades have not been subject to close scrutiny, although much of the science on their environmental impact has changed.
Mr Upton says the rules about how a chemical can be used shouldn’t be static – regulatory authorities need to be able to adapt as new information comes to light: “Restrictions should be based on the latest science and informed by New Zealand-specific data on use and impact.”
More than 30,000 chemicals have been approved for use across the country, the report says, but only around 200 chemicals are routinely tested for. The monitoring that is undertaken generates little feedback to the chemical management system that determines how chemicals are used.
A key recommendation is that the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) expand its powers to require much more data from chemical importers, manufacturers and sellers.
But – here it comes – that’s where money becomes an issue.
Among the immediate reactions, the EPA said it is working hard to fill big gaps in the regulation of chemicals but needs more funding. Its chief executive, Dr Allan Freeth, said it would bring in new rules later this year to switch from collecting data voluntarily on just a few chemicals, to demanding more data on many more substances.
Dr Freeth acknowledged the whole system was fragmented across four regulators (EPA, Ministry for Primary Industries, Medsafe and WorkSafe) and had a long way to go to be good enough, but they lacked funding to get there. “We need funding for reassessing our priority chemical list – we’ve got some extra funding for that, but it’s nowhere near enough.”

The Dairy 4 Farm, adjacent to Massey’s Manawatū campus, has approximately 600 spring calving cows and is the largest of the university’s two farms.
Second, the board of Potatoes NZ Inc. (PNZ) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Lincoln University to launch a research partnership which includes a Centre of Excellence for Potato Research and Extension, based in Canterbury.
Lincoln University Associate Professor of Plant Science, Clive Kaiser, will be the establishment Director for the Centre of Excellence for Potato Research and Extension, and he says the new Centre will be extension-led and grower-centric.
NZIAHS welcomes too, news of a new Lincoln doctoral scholarship which aims to help meet the need for alternative pastoral livestock production systems that will foster the environment, soil, livestock, and human health.
The Sir Graeme Harrison Pastoral Livestock Production PhD Scholarship  is supported by a former Lincoln University council member and founder of ANZCO Foods, an organisation that produces beef and lamb products.  It covers tuition fees and includes a $28,000 stipend per annum. The closing date for applications is 1 April 2022. The scholarship is offered through the Lincoln University Pastoral Livestock Production Lab.

• The Government is injecting $700,000 into the Māori Agribusiness Sheep Milk Collective to help it explore the potential to sustainably produce sheep milk at scale, create jobs and further grow this emerging export market. The collective aims to have several farms milking about 25,000 sheep and potentially employing more than 100 people by 2030.
• The Government is partnering with Ngāti Hauā Iwi Trust to develop a horticultural programme that will empower Ngāti Hauā whānau to upskill, diversify their businesses and sustainably generate wealth from their land. The Waikato-based iwi has received $1.12 million from the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFF Futures) fund and $150,000 from the Ministry for Social Development.
• The Ministry for Primary Industries is investing $1.34 million in hemp research and development through its SFF Futures. The funding recipient, New Zealand Natural Fibres, is putting $2 million into the five-year programme, which will explore flooring, food packaging and active-wear among other innovations.
• The Government is investing $440,000 to help members of the Wairoa Horticultural Hub build on the potential of their land and to create jobs. The project aims to lift the productivity of Māori-owned land in northern Hawke’s Bay.