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Wednesday, 28 September 2016 11:53

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 - aturated 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

Metaldehyde pelletsGuidelines 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.

The MSG is an industry-led voluntary approach to manage the issue of metaldehyde in water. The group comprises Adama Agricultural Solutions UK Ltd, Certis, Chiltern Farm Chemicals, De Sangosse, Doff Portland, Frunol Delicia and Lonza.

The removal of metaldehyde is an issue of ongoing concern to the UK water companies. Water UK says the characteristics of metaldehyde mean that it is not effectively removed by adsorption onto activated carbon – the normal treatment for removing any pesticides that may be present in raw water. Even using existing advanced water treatment processes, it is a very difficult compound to completely remove.

DWI, EA and Defra: “taking a close interest in how water companies address metaldehyde issues in AMP6/7”

A Joint Statement issued by the Drinking Water Inspectorate, the Environment Agency and Defra in July following the Brexit vote said the three regulators are “taking a close interest in how water companies decide to address metaldehyde contamination of raw water supplies during the current and next Asset Management Periods (AMP).”

“We recognise that further decisions on the approach required will need to be made soon, to inform the development of the Water Industry National Environment Programme, Water Resource Management Plans and water company business plans, and current commitments to drinking water quality improvement programmes.”

Defra is currently working with the DWI and the EA on proposals for future metaldehyde control in time to allow planning for AMP7. Based on discussions with stakeholders to date, these will include regulatory options but will also leave space for additional catchment management work.

MSG - this Autumn is key to metaldehyde’s future 

Acording to the MSG, this Autumn is key to metaldehyde’s future - slug pellet application decisions made now, will influence the future availability of metaldehyde.

The MSG said in a statement:

"The issue, caused by the risk of metaldehyde reaching watercourses, is now coming to a head. With most of the annual use of slug pellets applied during autumn and early winter, the ‘here and now’ onus is on farmers to make a difference."

The deputy chief inspector of the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), speaking at an early September press briefing, hosted by the Metaldehyde Stewardship Group (MSG), reported that government ministers are in the process of looking into the issue.

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