Page 7 - ALG Issue 3 2022

legal matters
Pesticide use on allotments
Whether controlling the slugs eating your lettuce or weeds growing on your plot, you may be considering using a pesticide product. This term covers a wide range of chemicals and sprays all of which are used to control pests on plants. Only Home and Garden products should be used on an allotment and these include:
• Slug pellets
• Hormone rooting powders • Insecticides
• Weedkillers
• Fungicide sprays
• Plant growth regulators
• Animal repellents
• Lawn treatments
All products to protect plants from pests and disease must be authorised before they can be marketed or used in the UK. This is covered by regulations covering all Plant Protection Products, due to the fact that these products contain hazardous substances which pose a risk to human or animal health or environmental damage. For this reason, they do require assessment before they can be sold or used within the UK.
In addition to the above products, there are pesticides that are not used for plant protection and these are called biocides and include:
• Fungicidal washes and patio cleaners • Rat and mouse killers
• Fly sprays and ant powders
• Products used for algae control and
snail control in ponds • Cat repellents
PURCHASING PESTICIDES
Prior to purchasing any product, ask yourself, is it necessary and can I use an alternative? Also check the list of products on the HSE website below; this will give a list of products authorised for home and garden Use.
It is important that you do not buy pesticides from the internet or when abroad until you have checked that they can be used in the UK. If products are not licensed for use in the UK, you could face prosecution for illegal use and storage of pesticides. http://www.hse.gov.uk/pesticides/user- areas/garden-home.htm
BEWARE ALLOTMENT SOCIETIES BUYING IN BULK
It is illegal for allotment societies to buy pesticides in larger containers to sell
on to members in smaller quantities where the product is put into alternative packaging without the original label. This is for safety reasons as the original packaging will have been assessed for storage of the pesticide and the label for correct instructions on safe use, storage and disposal of the product. Such situations could lead to incorrect and unsafe use, storage and disposal which may affect the health of people, animals and pollute the environment. Allotment societies found to be doing this risk enforcement action being taken against them.
However, buying products in bulk where the product is being sold on to allotment society members remains in the authorised packaging with the authorised label is allowed.
USE GARDEN CHEMICAL SAFELY:
• Consider non-pesticide methods to control pests, weeds and diseases.
• If you do need to purchase a pesticide, check what you have in your shed. You may already have what you need; check that you can still use it. Only purchase what you need for the task.
• Always read the label carefully and use according to the instructions; remember to store the product in the original container and place out of reach of children and animals.
• Always apply the correct dose that is outlined on the instructions and only make up the amount you need. Making up too much will waste the product and money. Use only on areas where you identify a problem.
• For small patches of the problem, consider purchasing Ready to Use products, which are already diluted for use.
Most of the pesticides that you can use in the home, garden or allotment are approved for amateur use. This means that you do not need specific training to use these products.
• Spray in the early morning or early evening, when bees are not active and in calm conditions and avoid spray drift.
• Be aware of watercourses and ditches close to your allotment and never apply close to the ditch or watercourse.
• Remember the ban on the outdoor use of metaldehyde, a pesticide used to control slugs in a range of crops and in gardens, has been introduced across Great Britain from March 2022.
DISPOSAL OF PESTICIDES SAFELY
Protect your local environment, wildlife and water pollution. Never dispose of unwanted products, diluted products or rinsings in household drains, ditches or ponds.
Always:
• Use up surplus spray solutions by
applying on areas the product is
designed to be used.
• Rinse empty concentrate containers
three times before disposal.
• Dispose of unused unwanted
products in their containers at
a registered Household Waste Recycling Centre. For further information on this, contact your local waste authority.
Most of the pesticides that you can use in the home, garden or allotment are approved for amateur use. This means that you do not need specific training to use these products. The label will
be worded so that the instructions are easy to follow, to ensure that the product is used safely. These products are most likely to be found in your local garden centre, DIY store or supermarket.
Many other pesticides, such as those used on farms or in public areas,
are approved for use in much larger commercial situations. The labels of these ‘professional’ products can be more complicated, and by law, must only be used by those who have had the appropriate training. Professional products should never be used by
the untrained amateur gardener. Someone with the right training can use a professional product in the home, garden or allotment so long as the intended use appears on the label.
Liz Bunting,
Legal and Operations Manager
Allotment and Leisure Gardener 7