The steps are straightforward to implement and will have significant impacts on the future of metaldehyde availability.
Read our briefing document here.
NFU Vice President Guy Smith said: “Metaldehyde remains an important part of the management options available to farmers to control slugs and a crucial part of an integrated pest management plan.
“Using traps to assess slug pressures, ferric phosphate and cultivation are all useful alternatives to Metaldehyde as part of an integrated pest management plan and the NFU encourages all farmers to use a wide array of techniques to control slugs on farm.
“The NFU will ensure that farmers and growers are well informed when it comes to the new stewardship rules to help further protect water, farmland birds and small animals.
“Farmers are encouraged to use buffer strips and field margins, possibly as part of Ecological Focus Areas, to improve biodiversity on farm and continue their work caring for the environment, something particularly pertinent for farmers coming out of ELS and HLS schemes.
“NFU members can contatct NFU CallFirst for more information on the enhanced stewardship measures now in place, as well as integrated pest management plans and advice.”