700g Metaldehyde Now Legal Max 

The CRD (Chemicals Regulation Directorate) have, for the first time, set a new statutory maximum application rate for metaldehyde. It comes following the voluntary withdrawal of 38 slug pellet products and the latest 2010 metaldehyde guidelines announced in May.

“It brings the legal maximum annual dose rate for metaldehyde into line with the MSG [Metaldehyde Stewardship Group] guidelines at 700g/ha/calendar year,” explains Anne Fletcher, regulatory spokesperson for the MSG.

“Previously there was no set maximum total dose rate for the active ingredient – in effect meaning that amounts of metaldehyde applied were unlimited,” she explains.
 
East Anglian agronomist Colin Myram supports the changes. “It signifies how seriously the industry is taking what has, up to now, been a voluntary campaign to prevent metaldehyde entering watercourses.

“For this season we have also seen manufacturers withdraw all products containing over 700g of metaldehyde per individual application. And they have gone even further in revising the MSG guidelines that now set a maximum total dose of 210g between the key dates of 1 August to 31 December – when the issue of metaldehyde reaching watercourses is at its peak," he adds. The maximum recommended individual dose rate is 210g of metaldehyde/ha that may be reduced to 160g or less on the recommendation of BASIS advisers.

Colin comments that these latest developments demonstrate that the industry really does recognise the significance of the water issues associated with metaldehyde use, and shows just how seriously the threat is being taken.

“We’re definitely taking steps in the right direction,” he believes. “The 2009/10 season saw a significant reduction in the levels of metaldehyde detected in watercourses, but it was a dry season and fewer slug pellet treatments were needed. We must keep our guard up this autumn,” he urges.

Yet he disputes that the changes will be to the detriment of slug control. “With improvements in slug pellet formulation technologies, new generations of metaldehyde slug pellets will deliver the required lower levels of active ingredient whilst maintaining efficacy.”

Growers will start to see new wording on all new labels from now on as the statutory requirement is introduced over the coming year. 

Metaldehyde Stewardship Best Practice for 2010

• Use minimum active per ha to avoid drainage and runoff losses
• Maximum application rate 210 g metaldehyde a.s./ha* For additional protection of water, suppliers / BASIS advisors may recommend rates reduced to 160 g a.s./ha or less
• Maximum total dose from 1st August to 31st December: 210 g metaldehyde a.s./ha* For additional protection of water, suppliers / BASIS advisors may recommend rates reduced to 160 g a.s./ha or less
• Maximum total dose rate: 700 g metaldehyde a.s./ha/calendar year.*
• No pellets to be applied within 6 metres of a watercourse
• Do not apply when heavy rain is forecast
• If drains are flowing do not apply metaldehyde based slug pellets
                                         
*from any combination of metaldehyde products

Issued on behalf of the Metaldehyde Stewardship Group by Catherine Linch, Pinstone Communications Ltd. Tel: 01568 617622 / catherine@pinstone.co.uk