Words: Animal and Plant Health Association of New Zealand
Weeds, pests and plant diseases do not wait for regulation.
Every growing season, farmers and growers make decisions affecting productivity, profitability, the environment and market access.
Success depends on timely access to crop protection tools to manage emerging threats while meeting rising environmental and consumer expectations.
That is why regulatory reform matters.
A significant step was taken towards progress towards a smarter regulatory system to unlock innovation when Parliament passed the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Amendment Bill at its third reading on 24 September 2026.
Growers are facing rising pest resistance, changing climatic conditions and stricter sustainability requirements.
Modern crop protection technologies help maintain crop health, productivity, and market expectations.
But uncertainty and lengthy timeframes in the regulatory approval process can deter investment in innovation, leaving growers reliant on older tools.
Newer and more targeted technologies are available overseas, but it can take years for these to reach New Zealand.
Afidopyropen, a new active ingredient for controlling mealybugs in grapes, is one example.
A company reports they first explored bringing this product to New Zealand in 2019, but approval remains pending. Since then, the product has been approved and used in Australia, Canada, and the US.
New Zealand is also not on the radar as a launch market for a new weed control active developed by another company using AI and claimed to be an alternative to glyphosate.
The company applied for registration in Australia in late July. It is also seeking approval for its launch in Brazil, the United States and Canada.
The challenge extends beyond horticulture.
AgResearch estimates grass grub causes annual pasture production losses of $300 million to $815 million.
Meanwhile, established controls are disappearing. Chlorpyrifos is set to be phased out by July 2027, and diazinon by 2028.
This reinforces the need for new products that safely replace older tools.
This relies on a regulatory framework that supports investment in innovation, providing new solutions for integrated pest, resistance and weed management.
More targeted technologies can advance productivity, environmental and sustainability objectives together.
A high-performing regulatory system provides clear and certain approval pathways, proportionate risk-based assessments, and efficient processes that avoid duplication.
Drawing on trusted international science while assessing New Zealand-specific risks can unlock innovation without compromising safety or environmental protections.