New and improved science for NZ agriculture on the way

Date:11-03-2016

New Zealand’s primary sector will now have access to more innovative agricultural products as well as products for minor crops and minor animal species due to a law change increasing data protection timeframes.

The Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Amendment Bill increases the protection of research and commercial data required to register crop protection and animal health products in New Zealand.

Increasing this protection will incentivise manufacturers of crop protection products and veterinary medicines to bring their technology and invest in solutions specifically for New Zealand.

This means farmers and growers will soon be able to access more products to farm productively. It will bring much needed products to farmers of minor species such as deer and dairy goats. Growers of minor crops such as citrus, sweet corn and kumara will also benefit by accessing products already available overseas.

Manufacturers will now have the incentive to develop products specifically for these types of situations. These products undergo extensive testing and research to prove to our regulators that they are suitable for crops and animals and are sustainable.

The increase will allow 10 years’ protection for innovative products and five years for new uses, new formulations and reassessments.

Agcarm commends the Government and Primary Production Select Committee for addressing one of the worst data protection regimes in the developed world.

As a supporter of agricultural productivity and improved animal health, Agcarm has been advocating for an increase in data protection for over 15 years.

The law change is expected to be completed by the end of next week.