Hon Nicola Grigg 
Minister for the Environment

14 May 2026

The Governmentisamendingthe Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Actto speed upaccess to newagricultural and horticultural products for farmers, growers and industry, Environment Minister Nicola Grigg announcedtoday.

The changes mean that New Zealand farmers and growers can access products that are available overseas more easily to control pests and invasive species, and for crop protection.

“These changes remove unnecessary barriers and improve efficiency to put New Zealand businesses on an even playing field with their overseas competitors.”

The amendment bill builds on recommendations from a2024Ministry for Regulationreview.

“The Review found that while the current system effectively manages risks, the approval pathway is too slow and complex and adds unnecessary costs to businesses."

“Streamliningprocesseswillgive agrichemical companies, farmers, horticulturalists and other industriescertaintyandclearer regulatory pathways for new products.”

The proposed amendmentsalsoaddressthe Review’s recommendation that duplication can be reduced by making better use of assessments by overseas regulators, while maintaining New Zealand-specific protections.

“Better regulatory settings for new products willsupportNew Zealand’s primary sector to stay globally competitive and unlock growth and export potential,”Ms Grigg says.

The role of the Environmental Protection Authority as an independent regulatory decision maker is unchanged.

“The proposed amendments do not weaken current protections for people or the environment. They are about improving processes through smarter regulation and reflect the Government’s commitment to regulation that’s fit for purpose and effective.”

Notes:

• The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Amendment Bill(HSNO Bill)wasintroduced to Parliamenton11 Mayand is available here.

The HSNO Amendment Bill includes proposals aimed at:

• Streamlining application processes and improving regulatory efficiency
• Making approvaltimeframesmore predictable
• Improving application pathways to give applicants more certainty.
• Expanding and clarifying use of the existing international regulator rapid assessment pathway
• Allowing the temporary use of certain hazardous substances already approved overseas while a full New Zealand assessment continues
• Enabling a tiered application structure for importing and manufacturing hazardous substances based on risk and complexity
• Making better use of overseas approvals and assessments to reduce duplication where appropriate
• Enhancing compliance,monitoringand enforcement under the HSNO Act.
• The Bill will be considered by thePrimary Production Committee and, after public consultation, is expected to return to Parliament for its final readings in late 2026.
• TheMinistry of Regulation’s2024Agricultural and Horticultural Products Regulatory Reviewis available here:Agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review | Ministry for Regulation
• The Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Act is also being amended. The HSNO and ACVM reforms are intended to operate as a package. HSNO approval remains the gateway into the ACVM system, and the changes to HSNO are designed to support that pathway.

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