The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has published the outcome of the Hi-Cane® reassessment. The ongoing use of Hi-Cane has been approved – however new usage controls have been applied to Hi-Cane with immediate effect. These are outlined below.
- One application can be made per calendar year. The maximum application rate for kiwifruit is 25kg of hydrogen cyanamide/ha. For all other fruit crops the maximum application rate is 16.9kg of hydrogen cyanamide/ha
- Buffer zones must be put in place to protect bystanders, the aquatic environment and non-target plants downwind. (See reverse for specific buffer zone information).
- Application is limited to ground-based methods. Only appropriate mixtures of hydrogen cyanamide and water combined with nozzles and/or adjuvants that produce a coarse or larger droplet size can be used
- The label must have the following: ‘WARNING: Very toxic to some plant species. Certain plants may be damaged or killed from contact with Hi-Cane. Hi-Cane should not be applied within a specified distance of a downwind area containing any non-target plants, the distance varies per use pattern. Before application, users should be aware of any wetlands, indigenous vegetation habitat areas, or reserves that may contain threatened plants adjacent to the application area, in which case it is recommended to increase the buffer zone. The distance varies per use pattern. See buffer zone section for further information.’
- Hi-Cane must be applied when wind speeds are less than 20km/h as measured at the application plot or when there is an air temperature inversion layer
- The label must have the following: ‘WARNING: Hi-Cane may not be compatible with integrated pest management (IPM)’
- Spraying is restricted to between 1 July and 10 September inclusive
- The Hi-Cane label includes the following: ‘WARNING: In combination with alcohol Hi-Cane may produce a severe unpleasant temporary reaction known as ‘cyanamide flush’. Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours before and up to 7 days after using Hi-Cane. Symptoms of Poisoning: ‘Cyanamide flush’ – skin flushing, dizziness, headache, shortness of breath, rapid pulse
- Users are now required to have the qualifications required for an agrichemical that has the hazard classification ‘Hazardous to the aquatic environment acute Category 1 or chronic Category 2’. (See next page for specific qualification requirements)
- The soluble concentrate classification (approval number HRC000001) is changed from skin and eye irritant to skin and eye corrosive
- The specific target organ toxicity classification is changed from Category 1 to Category 2
- Hydrogen cyanamide is now classified as hazardous to soil organisms
- Transitional period: From 1 July 2025 all substance labels must be compliant with all label requirements
Nufarm is committed to the ongoing stewardship of Hi-Cane to support the wellbeing and success of New Zealand kiwifruit growers and the economy and supports the additional controls.
Due to the timing of manufacture, Hi-Cane stock this season will be labelled with the old version of the label. The new label, SDS and Haznote are available for download on the Hi-Cane product page.
Buffer Zones
Bystander Buffer Zones
Use pattern description | Downwind buffer zone |
Kiwifruit up to 25 kg ai/ha – air blast |
6m (with shelter*) 8m (without shelter) |
Apple up to 16.9 kg ai/ha – air blast |
10m |
Aquatic Environment Buffer Zones
Use pattern description |
Waterbody downwind buffer zone |
Waterbody run-off buffer zone |
Kiwifruit up to 25 kg ai/ha – air blast |
6m (with shelter*) 10m (without shelter) |
< 5% slope: 10m 5-10% slope: 15m >10% slope: 20m |
Apple up to 16.9 kg ai/ha – air blast |
45m |
< 5% slope: 0m 5-10% slope: 10m >10% slope: 15m |
Non-Target Plant Downwind Buffer Zones
Use pattern description |
Downwind buffer zone – non-threatened species |
Downwind buffer zone – threatened species |
Kiwifruit up to 25 kg ai/ha – air blast |
6m (with shelter*) 10m (without shelter) |
15m |
Apple up to 16.9 kg ai/ha – air blast |
30m |
50m |
Qualifications
A person mixing, loading or otherwise handling Hi-Cane in preparation for it to be applied must be a Qualified Loader.
A contractor must be a Qualified Contractor to apply Hi-Cane.
A person other than a contractor using ground-based application methods must be a Qualified Person to apply Hi-Cane.
The qualifications required include relevant strands of the Rural Contractors New Zealand’s Registered Chemical Applicator Accreditation, relevant GROWSAFE® certificates and relevant Unit Standards of the NZS 8409:2004 For the Use of Agrichemicals.
Full details can be found in sections 60, 63 and 64 and Schedule 10 in the EPA Hazardous Property Controls Notice.