Decision to ban metaldehyde quashed

NFU Deputy President Guy Smith said:

“It’s of the utmost importance to farmers that decisions on the availability of vital plant protection products are made properly, following the procedure set out by law.
“Metaldehyde products play a key role as part of an integrated approach to slug control and farmers remain acutely aware of the need to use these products judiciously and to ensure their use has minimal impact on the environment.”

In autumn 2017, the Metaldehyde Stewardship Group introduced enhanced stewardship guidelines to help increase protection of watercourses and minimise the risk to other wildlife. Uptake of, and engagement with these enhanced guidelines has been high and initial observations suggest that less metaldehyde was used in autumn 2017 and 2018. We would urge anyone using metaldehyde to continue to observe the enhanced guidelines developed by the Metaldehyde Stewardship Group.

NFU senior plant health adviser Emma Hamer said:

"The re-registration process for metaldehyde-based slug pellets will have to take place again and we do not know what further data will be requested by regulators. Clearly it is early days as this is a new situation. We also do not know which companies will re-apply for product registration in the UK. Metaldehyde based slug pellets remain available in over 20 other member states."

Sales and use up periods

The sale and distribution of existing stocks of metaldehyde will expire on 31 December 2020, and disposal, storage and use of existing stocks is to expire on 31 December 2021.

HSE has advised that a decision will be taken on the applications for re-registration of metaldehyde products as soon as possible. In the meantime, metaldehyde products can be purchased and used in accordance with their labels and should follow the Get Pelletwise best practice guidelines.

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