Nation-wide agrichemical use has declined in recent years. This has
been driven by increased awareness of the potential for damage to the
environment and human health. Local authorities, government agencies
and industry sectors are trying new methods to reduce their agrichemical
use in response to industry initiatives and health and safety legislation.

The Regional Air Quality Management Plan for the Wellington Region
aims to reduce potential adverse effects of agrichemical use by promoting
environmentally “friendly” alternatives to the use of agrichemicals (Method
6.4.3).

This report summarises the findings of a study which aimed to start
implementing methods in the Air Plan by identify products and methods
that could successfully be used as alternatives to agrichemicals. The
alternatives included organic type products and best practice methods.