Agricultural compounds and pesticides

Agricultural compounds are used for many purposes, including protecting native plants and wildlife and minimising health risks from pests.

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Why pesticides and agricultural compounds are used

A range of pesticides and agricultural compounds are used in Aotearoa New Zealand for many purposes, including to:

  • protect native plants and wildlife
  • avoid insect bites
  • minimise health risks from pests
  • protect houses and buildings from infestation
  • prevent spoilage of crops.

Pest control

Chemicals for pest control are commonly used, both commercially and in the home. They are used for prevention, control and treatment.

Pests and insects

Pest control

Vertebrate Toxic Agents

Vertebrate Toxic Agents (VTAs) are pesticides such as 1080, cyanide, and brodifacoum. They are used to eliminate or control populations of vertebrate pests such as:

  • possums
  • rabbits
  • stoats
  • rats.

To be able to use certain VTAs and other hazardous substances, you may need to apply for permission from a public health officer. You have a legal obligation to comply with any conditions in the permission.

Agrichemical spraydrift

Agrichemicals are chemicals used in agriculture. When the spray drifts away from the target area, it is known as spraydrift.

Spraydrift can:

  • cause health problems for people and animals
  • make food and water sources unsafe.

If you are exposed to spraydrift you may need to:

  • shower and change your clothes
  • wash exposed foods, like fruit or vegetables before cooking or eating them
  • disconnect pipes to water tanks collecting rainwater from a roof until the roof has been washed down by the next rainfall.

Symptoms spraydrift may cause

The symptoms you get from the chemicals in spraydrift may include:

  • burning or watering eyes
  • blurred vision
  • sweating
  • rash
  • swollen lips
  • muscle aches or twitches
  • throwing up (vomiting) or runny poos (diarrhoea)
  • feeling dizzy
  • fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart (palpitations)
  • blackouts.

Reporting spraydrift

Contact your local district council to report spraydrift.

It can be helpful to include the following information when you make your report:

  • how you first became aware of the spraydrift
  • the time, date and weather, especially the wind strength and direction
  • the colour and smell of the spray, if obvious
  • who was spraying, where, and the equipment used
  • who else is spraying in the area
  • if an aircraft was used, the type of aircraft, its identification number, colour, and the direction it came from
  • an estimate of how high the spraydrift travelled
  • any health symptoms, and how long it was between the spraydrift and the symptoms starting.

You may even be able to video or photograph what is happening.

Council websites and maps — Local Government New Zealandexternal link

If spraydrift is affecting your health contact your healthcare provider, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116

The role of public health

Public health's role is to assess the health risk posed by the spraydrift to the case or people in the area. If there is a significant risk Public health makes sure the local council is aware and working to prevent further exposure.

Public health also has a role in the management of chemical-exposure incidents, and setting and enforcing controls on hazardous substances. This includes:

  • providing public health advice on risks associated with hazardous substances, products, and services
  • taking appropriate enforcement action if necessary to protect public health under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996
  • surveillance of illness related to chemical exposures
  • advising the public of health risks from chemical exposures, including agrichemicals.

Medical practitioners are required to notify the Medical officer of health of any suspected or confirmed hazardous substances injuries.

Public health is also required to inform Worksafe of any suspected work-related notifiable disease or hazardous substances injury.