Immediate Suspension of UK Sales and Use of Herbicides Containing Aminopyralid.

Consistent with its long-standing commitments to product stewardship, and in cooperation with United Kingdom regulators, Dow AgroSciences has asked the Pesticide Safety Directorate (PSD) for a temporary suspension of sales and use of herbicides containing aminopyralid. The suspension shall remain in place until assurances can be given that the product and subsequent treated forage and resultant animal wastes will be handled correctly.

The move comes after reports that manures containing traces of the herbicide had allegedly led to damage of sensitive vegetable crops. Such use of manures from treated forage is in contradiction of warnings on the product label that were part of the conditions of use that form the basis of the approval for the product.

"We are very disappointed at having to take this step because for livestock farmers, the  product  has offered real benefits in terms of the most effective control of injurious and pervasive grassland weeds that reduce production and even threaten livestock health," said Colin Bowers, Grassland Manager. "These benefits depend on users following the approved directions for use. Where conditions of use are not reliably being met, it is appropriate for us to voluntarily suspend use while there are further investigations and a revised stewardship programme developed."

"Aminopyralid has been widely used elsewhere in the world for the past two years," said Mr. Bowers.  "This issue appears to be prominent in the U.K. due to the established links between the farming and gardening communities."

PSD has previously determined that using manure containing aminopyralid residues poses no concern for human health. The product is, however, highly effective against certain plant species, which is why label directions specifically warn users not to use waste from animals fed, or grazed on treated grass, for composting or mulching sensitive plants such as peas, beans, carrots, lettuce, potatoes and tomatoes.

Aminopyralid is highly valued by livestock farmers for providing very effective control of invasive and injurious weeds. Managing such weeds has welfare benefits for livestock, as well as allowing farmers to farm productively.