New Zealand mulls cereal biocontrols

The New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is to hold a public hearing on an application for the release of a further 18 strains of the endophyte fungus, Epichloe spp (formerly Neotyphodium spp), to improve resistance of cereal crops to pests and diseases. The New Zealand plant technology company, Grasslanz Technology (Palmerston North), made the application last year. The EPA had previously approved the release of 45 strains of the fungus. The hearing will be held on March 23rd.