One of New Zealand's largest agrichemical companies has decided to close its research facility in Hastings, and the sector's peak body warns it may not be the last such closure. The end of the Bayer Crop Science research facility ‒ where roughly 20 trials are conducted annually on ways to better grow stone and vine fruit among other things ‒ will see two full time jobs lost.
But Animal and Health New Zealand, the body representing agrichemical firms, says the "big four" multinational companies operating in New Zealand ‒ German-headquartered Bayer, Syngenta and BASF and Texas-based Cortiva Agriscience ‒ have concerns about the time, cost and complexity of getting new crop protection products approved for use, and have warned the processes make New Zealand a less viable market for research and development of new products.
In a statement, Bayer said increasing costs, generic pressure, and regulatory uncertainty were challenges the industry was facing in New Zealand and across the world.
"Bayer Crop Science has undertaken a global strategic review of our crop protection research and development activity to ensure we can remain globally competitive and continue to invest in ground-breaking innovation that delivers the greatest impact to farmers around the world."
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