There has been considerable anxiety over the last year or so about manure contaminated with the herbicide aminopyralid, a hormone weedkiller. The PSD, (Pesticide Safety Directorate) have, at Dow´s request, suspended its licence to be sold while the whole matter is investigated. There is no suggestion of problems to human health, but manure from cattle or horses who have ingested the chemical, or even been bedded on straw treated with the chemical, has been reported to ruin crops in the garden and on allotments.
This herbicide can be found in the following products:
- Banish
- Forefront
- Halcyon
- Pharaoh
- Pro-Banish
- Runway
This is an incredibly potent chemical, effective even in small amounts. How long it remains potent in manure is dependent on how much was there initially as well as other factors. Probably, and only probably, it is safe to plant in the third year after application, so if you have found that you have the problem you will have to leave all your treated ground fallow for at least three years! This is potentially devastating to backyard and organic producers.
In November, a petition was signed by nearly 1,500 people to get the chemical banned.You can read the government's response on the Number 10 Petitions website.
There is a thorough description of the problem on the Allotment Organisation's website.
