New Zealand EPA Cuts Wait Times for Hazardous Substance Approvals, Boosting Farmers' Access to Innovations

The New Zealand government’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has dramatically shortened approval times for hazardous substances, a move that promises faster access to crop‑protecting products for farmers and growers. According to the latest EPA performance report, the number of applications awaiting assessment has halved since July 2024, and the agency completed 66 hazardous‑substance assessments in the 2025/26 year—its highest annual total since 2018/19. Over the past year, the EPA has also reduced the backlog of pending applications by more than a third. Environment Minister Nicola Grigg said the reforms were prompted by farmers’ frustration with lengthy approval processes that delayed new products and innovations. She highlighted that the EPA’s improvements maintain robust environmental and health protections while speeding decisions. The government is also advancing reforms to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act, aiming to streamline application procedures and keep New Zealand competitive in global markets. The Primary Production Select Committee is expected to report on the proposed amendment bill in September.