Government response to aminopyralid ban
 

http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page21280

The petition was:-

"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to refuse to reinstate
Aminopyralid as a weed killer in Britain.”
Details of Petition:

“A hormone weed killer (Aminopyralid) used on grassland was taken up by
grazing animals and remained in manure which, when applied to the land,
caused the failure of a wide range of crops including beans, peas, potatoes
and tomatoes, soft fruits and flowers. Aminopyralid attaches itself to
organic matter and the length of time it takes to beak down completely is as
yet unknown. The potential for contamination by aminopyralid and clopyralid
is causing growers to lose confidence in peat free composts. Due to the
occurrence of patches of contamination in organic matter it is extremely
difficult if not impossible to ensure an uncontaminated end product. A
receiver of contaminated material is landed with a problem of disposing of
toxic waste. After widespread protests it was withdrawn in August 2008 but
an application has been made for its reinstatement. We believe that, even
taking into account improved stewardship, the use of this chemical cannot be
adequately controlled.”

The government response was:-

"The Government acknowledges the difficulties that the use of manure
containing traces of aminopyralid has caused some gardeners and allotment
holders. In issuing approvals for two new products, it carefully considered
the advice of the independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP).
The restrictions on the new approvals are intended to ensure that manure
containing aminopyralid does not leave the farm:

* The new products may only be used on grassland for grazing (not for
forage) or amenity grassland.
* The labels must state that manure from animals grazed on grassland treated
with aminopyralid should be returned directly to grassland - i.e. kept on
farm. Similarly, labels will contain a warning that animal waste or plant
material suspected of containing aminopyralid must not be used for
composting or mulching.
* Only grassland grazed by cattle and sheep may be treated - not land grazed
by horses.

DowAgrosciences has developed a communications and stewardship campaign for
users and distributors to further reduce the risk of problems arising from
manure containing aminopyralid residues.
The company will also submit regular reports to Government detailing any
complaints and the action taken. These complaints and any received directly
will be monitored and, where appropriate, investigated by the Chemicals
Regulation Directorate.
If, despite these additional controls and safeguards, significant problems
arise in future, the Government’s position will be reviewed again."

So effectively big business wins as usual..

Government response to aminopyralid ban
 

"wafflycat" wrote

The petition was:-

"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to refuse to reinstate
Aminopyralid as a weed killer in Britain.”
Details of Petition:

: ((Huge Snip))

So effectively big business wins as usual..

The interesting data on this weedkiller is...
"Under aerobic conditions, degradation of aminopyralid in five different
soils resulted in the production of CO2 and non-extractable residues.
Half-lives ranged from 31.5 to 533.2 days in 5 soils. For risk assessment
purposes, EPA used a half-life of 103.5 days.

Aminopyralid photolyzed moderately slowly on a soil surface. The half-life
was 72 days and CO2, non-extractable residues and small amounts of acidic
volatiles were the degradates."

So it may be around for a bit yet in some soils even if everyone keeps to
the new rules.


--
Regards
Bob Hobden
just W. of London