The approval of a new fungicide seed treatment to combat diseases in potatoes is positive, however growers will be hoping a necessary final approval will be completed quickly so the product is available ahead of the spring season, says Animal and Plant Health New Zealand (APHANZ).
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has approved Syngenta’s Vibrance Premium, a new fungicide seed treatment to combat soil‑borne, seed‑borne and storage diseases.
“This approval moves potato growers one step closer to accessing a new tool, but it still requires approval from the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Group (ACVM),” says Dr Liz Shackleton, chief executive of APHANZ.
“Growers need a broad toolkit, and this is one example. Potato farmers typically grow other vegetable crops on their farms to meet standard rotation practice to support pest and disease management, soil health, and yields.
“So, this decision represents a shift forward. Every approval matters. We acknowledge the approval by EPA and the signal towards a more proportionate, risk-based approach. APHANZ and industry stands ready to support and contribute real world experience to inform that.
“Innovation has always been questioned before it is accepted - from the industrial revolution to vaccines, medicines, and today’s emerging technologies.
“Risk is measured by data and decided by people. Progress comes from listening and grounding decisions in lived learnings and real-world use.
“A proportionate, predictable approvals system means our industry can remain viable to get tools into growers’ hands - for whom choice, affordability and supply certainty has never mattered more.
“Regulatory uncertainty is taking its toll. R&D investment is moving offshore. Laboratory research capability that allows New Zealand crop R&D data to be used internationally is scaling back with impacts yet to be realised.
“Business cases for innovation are going elsewhere. For some companies, the question is no longer do we register, but do we supply at all?
“This decision shows what’s possible. Momentum is building, and industry is focused on seeing that momentum translate into timely, predictable approvals to get essential tools flowing to our growers, farmers, and veterinarians to strengthen New Zealand’s primary sector,” says Dr Shackleton.
In its media release announcing approval of Vibrance Premium, EPA noted that the risks are low as the substance is only to be applied to seed potatoes in a facility and then sown in the ground.
The approval joins a handful of other primary sector relevant approvals since release of the Ministry for Regulation’s report on its review of the regulatory approval process for agricultural and horticultural products. These include:
- Trifix (FMC) – a herbicide used to control broadleaf weeds in fodder beet for livestock feed (approved March 2026).
- Tower (Adama) – a herbicide to control broadleaf and grass weeds for wheat and barley (approved December 2025).
- Rhapsody (UPL) – a fungicide used to control blackspot and powdery mildew in apples, pears, and grapes (approved July 2025).
“Industry back the roadmap for change set by Cabinet over a year ago - and remain fully committed to supporting government to deliver improvements to the regulatory approval system,” says Dr Shackleton.
“APHANZ’s 2026 manifesto provides practical, non-legislative steps to streamline approvals, keep essential products flowing into New Zealand and support a proportionate, timely, transparent, and predictable approval system.
“This decision shows what’s possible and highlights the role government and regulators can play in backing the primary sector to win.”
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