New Zealand EPA to Close Submissions on Grass Protecting Fungus

New Zealand EPA will close submissions on the approval of a special plant fungus that can protect host pasture grass on April 22.

The New Zealand Plant Breeding and Research Association says Neotyphium siegelii is a novel endophyte which could be of significant benefit to New Zealand pastoral farmers.

Endophytes are microscopic fungi which live inside the tissue of pasture plants, and help protect them from insect pests.

First introduced to New Zealand in the 1990s, novel or safe endophytes have since delivered hundreds of millions of dollars worth of improved pasture productivity and animal performance to the agricultural economy.

New Zealand is a world leader in development and adoption of endophyte technology for pastoral production.

N.siegelii is permitted for use in Australia, South America and the United States. New Zealand farmers could be at a disadvantage if it is not permitted for use here, according to NZPBRA general manager Thomas Chin.

He says the association urges the EPA to seriously consider and approve the importation and release of N. siegilli.