Environment Agency issues metaldehyde advice for autumn crop growers
The Environment Agency is calling on growers to think ‘slope, soil and stream’ when they apply metaldehyde based slug pellets to crops this autumn. Metaldehyde is the pesticide that most often causes risks to drinking water sources, especially in the autumn – if metaldehyde enters watercourses it can potentially threaten drinking water quality. The Agency is emphasising the importance for growers to adhere to the current guidelines on metaldehyde use to avoid contaminating watercourses and protect drinking water supplies.
Good practice the Agency suggests is required to prevent metaldehyde entering watercourses includes taking into consideration:
- Slope of the field – steeper fields are a higher risk
- Drainage status of the field – heavy soils and under-draining are a high risk
- Proximity of watercourses or ditches – adjacent fields are high risk
- Current and predicted weather – saturated soils and heavy rain can cause a high risk of runoff
- The filling and wash down area of the pellet applicator – areas which run off to drains or watercourses will have a high risk of pollution
Guidelines issued by the Metaldehyde Stewardship Group which promote restrictions to prevent the pesticide from causing water pollution recommend that no pellets should be applied within six metres of a watercourse nor when heavy rain is forecast. If drains are flowing farmers are also advised not to apply metaldehyde based slug pellets The Group says alternatives, such as ferric phosphate, are available and growers should consider using this or other modes of control if they are in an area where metaldehyde is identified as a risk to drinking water sources.
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