Farming

Agriculture is an essential part of the New Zealand economy. It is the dominant sector in our export income, and contributes approximately 15% of our employment, roughly half on the farm and the other half in farm related sectors such as transport and processing industries.

The efficient and intensive use of our land for livestock farming and horticulture involves the use of many hazardous substances, including pesticides, veterinary medicines, and fuels. Careful management of these chemicals is important to protect people and the environment.

This page contains information to assist farmers and others working in the agricultural sector on managing these hazardous chemicals on the farm. It provides a series of links to information and guidance material on the following topics:

HSNO Briefs for Farmers

A range of information sheets are available to advise farmers about their HSNO requirements for managing fuels and agrichemicals.

Emergency Response Template

Where large amounts of agrichemicals and other hazardous products are stored, an emergency response plan is necessary. A template for preparing a response plan is available.

Becoming an Approved Handler

The most hazardous agrichemicals require you to be an approved handler. An approved handler is a person who has knowledge of the products they are using and who has experience in handling them.

To help farmers become approved handlers for agrichemicals, an assessment pack has been prepared.

An information sheet on approved handler requirements for pesticides is available. This information sheet provides guidance on when pesticide use is considered to be "wide dispersive". More general information on approved handlers for hazardous substances is available.

Products Requiring Approved Handler and Tracking

List of pesticide and veterinary medicine trade-name products that require approved handler and tracking are available:

Test Certification for Fuel Storage

Fuel stored on farms may require a Location Test Certificate and a Stationary Container System Test Certificate.

A summary of when a test certificate may be required is available: Test certificates where fuel is stored at a farm.

A location test certificate verifies that hazardous substances are stored safely away from other structures, combustible materials and ignition sources. A stationary container system test certificate shows that bulk fuel tanks meet requirements for their design, construction installation and maintenance.

Further information on certification for fuel on farms is available.

Test certificates are obtained from a test certifier. Test certifiers able to issue certificates for locations and stationary container systems can be found on the Test Certifier Register.

Approved Codes of Practice and Approved Practice Guides for Fuel Tanks

Approved codes of practice are available for the storage of petrol and diesel, and to manage disused below ground storage tanks on farms.

These codes offer an approved method of achieving compliance with the regulatory requirements set under HSNO.

An approved practice guide is also available for above ground fuel storage on farms.

Code of Practice for Agrichemicals

The Standard NZS8409:2004, Management of Agrichemicals, provides specific guidance on the safe, responsible and effective management of agrichemicals, including detergents and dairy sanitisers. This Standard is an approved code of practice for compliance with the hazardous substance regulations.

A copy of the Standard can be purchased from Standards New Zealand, phone: 0800 782 632.

HSNO Legislation

The HSNO Act and its regulations are available at the Government Legislation Website. ERMA New Zealand has also published Transfer Notices in the New Zealand Gazette. These notices set requirements for fuels and agrichemicals. Transfer Notices for other substances (e.g. vertebrate toxic agents such as Feratox) are also available.

Hazardous Substances Register

HSNO requirements for any product likely to be used on the farm are summarised on the ERMA New Zealand Hazardous Substances Register.

You can search this register using the Trade Name of the product (e.g. Touchdown). Enter the Trade Name in the "Alternative Name" field of the search engine and press "Search".

HSNO Enforcement

The Department of Labour enforces the HSNO legislation on a farm (a place of work). You can contact an enforcement officer for guidance and advice on HSNO compliance at your Regional Department of Labour Office.

Contact ERMA New Zealand

Information on HSNO compliance is also available from ERMA New Zealand. Contact our Hazardous Substances Compliance Line:

Phone: 0800 376 234, or
Email: hsinfo@ermanz.govt.nz

Or contact us at:

ERMA New Zealand
PO Box 131
Wellington