Horticulture New Zealand believes the introduction of a wasp to combat the tomato potato psyllid is the "best way to go forward".

Chief Executive Mike Chapman said the natural control of tomatoes and potatoes in particular will result in a considerable reduction in the use of agchem treatments which can only be a positive move for the environment.

He said the other advantage is the increase in production which will allow for greater domestic and export supply.

Since the psyllid was found in 2006, controlling it with chemicals has cost around $25 million a year.

An application to New Zealand's Environmental Protection Authority has been successful and the use of the wasp has been approved.

Horticulture New Zealand Chief Executive Mike Chapman explains the plan.

"If you had a psyllid outbreak in your glass house, what you need to do is release a small number of the wasps and they will breed quickly, far quicker than the psyllid breed and that will get the psyllid under control in rapid succession. When the psyllid numbers die back, the wasp numbers will die back too."

The Authority approved the wasps as the chemicals currently being used to control the psyllid, impacts the way other pests are managed in the production sector.

Acting Manager of the new organisms team Donna Noonan said introducing this wasp will allow for a more integrated pest management system.

"They expect to be able to reduce the spraying quite considerably and they should be go back to using those other beneficial insects to control things like white fly."