A small New Zealand company, Certified Organics, has developed a product from extracts taken from pine trees which it believes is the first organic weed controller.
The so-called organic interceptor controls unwanted growth through dehydration, rather than poisoning the weeds as synthetic chemical weed killers.
Because of this, it leaves no harmful residues, does not affect soil health and does not create problems as a result of spray drift.
Certified Organics has patented the interceptor in New Zealand and has patents pending in North America, Europe, South Africa and Australia.
The company has secured an Australian agent and is forming a joint venture company with Netherlands-based Gainex Vivace International. The joint venture will market and distribute the interceptor in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.
Certified Organics has contracted the New Zealand research company BioDiscovery to develop the agricultural and industrial potential of the pine extract.
Certified Organics is the only listed company in New Zealand devoted to organic products. The company said it aims to become a leading producer of certified organic products for farming, domestic and industrial use.
It says this approach will enable it to benefit from the growing demand for organic products.