Herbicide ban called for

11:58am Friday 18th July 2008

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A NATIONAL group which represents allotment-holders and organic growers is calling for an immediate ban on the use of a ‘killer’ herbicide which is thought to have ruined hundreds of plants across South Lakeland, reports Ellie Hargreaves.

The Organic Growers Alliance wants a clamp down on the use of aminopyralid – a hormone found in weed killers such as Forefront – and has appealed to the Health and Safety Executive, Food Standards Agency and the Pesticides Safety Directorate for support.

The chemical, produced by Dow AgroSciences, is not meant for use on food crops as it distorts growth in sensitive plants. However gardeners across the country complained after using manure thought to have been contaminated by the herbicide, which can survive through the gut of animals who graze on land treated with it.

Alan Schofield, chair of the OGA, said: “Many vegetable crops are grown using manures and have been for millennia. The decision to allow this product to be used on UK farms has the potential to turn an extremely valuable, recyclable resource into toxic waste. We are calling for its immediate withdrawal until the full extent of the contamination is known.”

The Westmorland Gazette reported last week how crops of potatoes, tomatoes, peas and beans, along with relatives from the flower family, were destroyed when gardeners from Kendal, Flookburgh and Crook used a contaminated supply of manure.

The PSD has yet to confirm the presence of aminopyralid in the cases reported but said “circumstantial evidence” indicated that it was likely to be involved in at least some of them. It has also confirmed that using manure containing residues of aminopyralid will not have implications for human health and vegetables could be eaten.