The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has banned insecticides bioresmethrin, cyhalothrin, fenvalerate and products containing these substances.
A decision-making committee has decided to revoke all approvals for these insecticides. They are extremely toxic to the aquatic environment and hazardous to human health. The ban will come into effect immediately.
This decision followed a public consultation open from the 22nd of January to the 6th of March 2026. No submissions were received. This supported the EPA’s findings that these substances are unlikely to be used in New Zealand.
“All hazardous substances need approval to be used in New Zealand. Approvals for hazardous substances do not expire, and the only way approvals for hazardous substances can change or be taken away is through a formal reassessment process,” said Max Thoma, Acting Manager of Hazardous Substances Reassessments.
“Prohibiting the use of these three insecticides goes a long way to keeping people and the environment safe and eliminates risk. It also reflects good regulatory practice."
Bioresmethrin, cyhalothrin, and fenvalerate are not approved for plant protection use in the European Union, Australia, the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom.
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