46 inhibitor substances (as listed in the interim Order in Council).

Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (Inhibitor Substances) Order 2022. Four pages in English. Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (Exemptions and Prohibited Substances) Amendment Regulations 2022. Two pages in English.; (2 page(s), in English)

This is an interim Order in Council that declares 46 inhibitor substances as 'agricultural compounds' and enables these substances to be registered under the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act 1997 (ACVM Act). The Order in Council also provides a definition for what an inhibitor is. In early 2022, the 46 listed inhibitor substances were identified with help from agrichemical companies as being used under this definition.

The ACVM Act does not currently provide a pathway for inhibitors to be registered under the Act, because they are considered 'out of scope'. This interim measure responds to requests by agrichemical companies that inhibitors are able to be registered under the ACVM Act. Consultation with farming groups indicate broad support for inhibitors to be registered under the AVCM Act to increase certainty regarding the use of the substances for inhibiting purposes. Proposed legislation to amend the scope of the ACVM Act to include inhibitors is expected to be introduced to Parliament in late 2022. New Zealand will issue a further TBT notification at that time with an opportunity to comment on the regulatory changes. Any comments received on the interim measure will also be considered as part of this process.

Inhibitors that are not listed on the interim Order in Council can continue to be sold and used in New Zealand (subject to them meeting other relevant regulatory requirements such as under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996). Both the interim Order in Council and Regulations came into force on 18 July 2022. The Regulations provide a transition period of 2 years for the 46 inhibitor substances on the Order in Council.