The UK Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) has confirmed that using manure that may contain residues of Dow AgroSciences’ herbicide, aminopyralid, does not have implications for human health. The PSD received enquiries from users about damage to their plants, particularly potatoes and beans, which either failed to grow properly or, in some cases, failed to grow at all. It based its evaluation on reasonable worst-case assumptions: that cattle are only fed grass, or silage made from grass, treated with aminopyralid; that vegetables are grown in soil mixed with manure produced from the animals; and that all the aminopyralid released from the manure is taken up into the plants. It concluded that the highest residues would not be a concern for health and vegetables should be safe to eat. Dow AgroSciences has set up an advisory note for allotment holders and gardeners at the website address: http://www.dowagro.com/uk/grass_bites/faq/allotment.htm.
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