Authority revokes approvals for herbicide MSMA

14 May 2009

Authority revokes approvals for herbicide MSMA

The Environmental Risk Management Authority has revoked approvals for the import, manufacture and use of the herbicide methylarsinic acid (MSMA) in New Zealand.

MSMA is an arsenic-based, persistent agrichemical used to control paspalum and kikuyu in fine turf. It has the potential to accumulate in the environment and to impact on human health.

Eleven submissions on the reassessment were received – 10 in support of the recommendation to revoke approvals, and one concerning the way a withdrawal could be effected.

The chair of the Authority’s decision-making committee, Dr Max Suckling, said the risks associated with the persistency of arsenic and its potential toxicity outweighed the benefits of using MSMA.

“The committee considered that the revocation of further imports at a time when stocks were seasonally low, combined with one final season after many years of use would allow disposal and management of the risks in the most cost-effective way.’’

The Authority revoked two approvals – one for the active ingredient methylarsinic acid, and one for its sodium salt concentrate.

Only the concentrate is in use in New Zealand. The Authority has issued a direction by notice in The Gazette today giving users until 31 May 2010 to dispose of or use up existing stocks. The same conditions of use will apply within that period.

The decision follows similar moves in the European Union and Canada, where approvals for MSMA have been withdrawn. The United States is preparing to cancel re-registration of all arsenical pesticides.

ENDS

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