Why the management of hazardous substances and biotechnology is important

New Zealand, like other countries, is exposed to a range of substances that can damage our health and the health of our environment.

When well managed hazardous substances and biotechnology help us achieve important economic goals and improve our well-being.

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What the issue is

New Zealand, like other countries, is exposed to a range of substances that can damage our health and the health of our environment.

These substances are:

  • hazardous substances
  • new organisms and other biological technologies
  • ozone-depleting substances such as methane.

The types of damage that can be caused include: 

  • contamination of land, rivers, lakes and the marine environment from hazardous substances used in industrial processes
  • damage to the health of native fauna and flora from new organisms
  • damage to the ozone layer from ozone-depleting substances.

When well-managed, these substances and biological technologies help us achieve important economic goals and improve our well-being.

For instance:

  • new organisms are used to enhance crops and develop medicines
  • hazardous substances (eg, pesticides) are used to protect our native species and crops from harm. 

Report on hazardous substances compliance system

In October 2018, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) appointed a Technical Working Group (TWG) to evaluate the hazardous substances compliance system.

The TWG submitted its report to the Chief Executive of the EPA and MfE. 

The report raises some useful insights into the operation of the hazardous substances compliance system. MfE welcomes the report and appreciates its findings and recommendations for improving the hazardous substances compliance system.

The report Evaluation of hazardous substances compliance system is on the EPA’s website.

 

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