4. Current Use of Bt in New Zealand
Several pesticide (spray) products containing Bt are currently registered for use in New Zealand. These include Foray, Dipel, Delfin and Agree. Bt is one of the few pesticides available for insect control on organic crops. No genetically modified plants have been approved for release in New Zealand.
Bt products are used in the fruit industry to prevent leafroller establishment during the blossom period. In kiwifruit, around 40 percent of growers use Bt spray on their crops (Wigley & Chilcott, 1994). The kiwifruit industry is an example of one where the majority of production is through integrated pest management, and use of chemical sprays has been significantly reduced. Bt is similarly used in vegetable integrated pest management programmes in brassicas and tomatoes. However, the scale of the use of Bt by growers in New Zealand is still relatively small, hence the argument that large scale use in genetically modified crops is more likely to hasten the onset of resistance than continuing use as a spray.
Bt products have also been used by the New Zealand Government to respond to incursions of new pest organisms. The Bt-based spray Foray 48B has been used in the responses to white-spotted tussock moth and painted apple moth. A Bt-based product is also being used in the Ministry of Health’s operation to contain and control the southern saltmarsh mosquito.
Contact for Enquiries
Dr Sharon Adamson
Manager,
Innovation Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0618
Fax: +64 4 4 894 0741
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