The Life Sciences Network today welcomed the support given by Green Party MPs Sue Kedgley and Sue Bradford to a petition calling for reductions in excessive and indiscriminate use of agrochemicals said Chairman, Dr William Rolleston.

“The Network’s members fully support initiatives which will reduce impacts on the environment caused by improper use of pesticides and herbicides. The agrochemical industry spends a huge amount of time and money providing education and training for commercial applicators and major users. All agrochemical products are packaged with detailed instructions on safe use.

“Agrochemicals are a substantial contributor to the rural economy.

“The real step change in agrochemical usage will come when herbicide and pesticide resistant crops are introduced into New Zealand agriculture on a commercial basis so our growers can gain similar chemical reductions as their competitors overseas.

“US farmers have reduced pesticide and herbicide usage by hundreds of thousands of tons by using GM crops; with major benefits for the environment and for farm worker safety – both issues which the Green Party has been strongly in favour of,” concluded Dr Rolleston.

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