Slug Pellets - Metaldehyde best Practice Advice Metaldehyde Stewardship Group

Slug Pellets are pesticides – Keep pesticides out of water Used responsibly, and in accordance with the product label, pesticides present minimal risk to the environment and the supply of clean water In 2007 metaldehyde was detected for the first time in raw surface water supplies Everyone handling slug pellets should follow current ‘BEST PRACTICE’ advice

Only apply pellets in conditions that you would spray in If weather and ground conditions prevent spraying there is a temptation to go pelleting instead. DON’T DO IT. If you cannot spray don’t apply pellets Affix ‘Best Practice advice to your applicator

Anyone applying slug pellets must be trained All users of slug pellets must, by law, have received adequate training and guidance in correct use They must hold a certificate of competence (PA1 & PA4) if they: –Were born after 31 December 1964 –Are providing a commercial service –Holders of PA1 and PA2 issued before 1 June 1994 are certificated to apply slug pellets –Holders of PA1 and PA2 issued after 1 June 1994 need to complete a PA4

Calibrate your applicator Key factors: Pellet characteristics: density, size and flowability Spreader settings: flow rate, spread width, forwards speed, pellet type Slug pellets and applicators differ greatly. –Calibrate applicators every time one or more of the above factors changes Slug pellets should be applied at the correct rate, ensuring uniform distribution

Know you applicator spread width What is the spread width of your applicator? Varies according to: –Disc speed, product type, size of pellet, shape, density as well as wind speed and direction and terrain Stop pellets being applied directly to ditches and other surface water bodies –Use deflector plates on headlands if available –Turn applicator off when turning on headlands –Use 2 or 3 bout headlands to avoid throwing pellets back into watercourses when starting a field bout.

Test bait to assess slug pressure Test bait (trapping) to assess whether treatment with slug pellets is necessary –Place chicken layers mash under trap and count slug numbers the following morning. –DO NOT USE SLUG PELLETS UNDER THE TRAP Risk thresholds: –Winter wheat : 4 or more slugs –Winter OSR: 4 or more slugs in previous standing crop or >1 in stubble

Do not apply slug pellets if heavy rain is imminent Heavy rainfall may cause surface runoff which could wash pellets off the soil surface into the receiving watercourse Manage soil to reduce risk of runoff –Establish crop and tramlines across the slope Follow VI advice

Fill hoppers in the field Whenever possible fill the hopper in the field, –Avoid field gateways and other areas where runoff is likely Avoid filling in the farmyard –Runoff is likely to drain directly to surface water –The risk of spillage while travelling to the field also increases Ensure the shutter is closed and fill over a plastic sheet Seal up any part used bags Bags in use must remain on site or be locked away

Clear up spills immediately – no matter how small Take care while filling the applicator to avoid spillages –Fill over a plastic sheet Spilt pellets should be cleaned up IMMEDIATELY –Place into the hopper for spreading at the approved rate Ensure the risks to wildlife from spilt pellets are kept to a minimum Use appropriate PPE when handling pellets

Clean applicator after each days use Check the equipment manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning –Use a brush to remove pellets and dust, take care if using pressure hoses The applicator should be cleaned in the field –Avoids pellets, dust and soil contaminating watercourses The hopper should be emptied and the remaining pellets placed in a sealed bag

Do not contaminate drains or watercourses when cleaning applicator Ensure all cleaning activities take place away from watercourses (>10m) –Avoid areas of the field where runoff is more likely e.g. gateways If more thorough cleaning is required in the farmyard use a dedicated, impermeable pesticide handling area, with a sealed drainage system Treat contaminated runoff : –Biobed –Licensed Specialist Waste Contractor Store pellet applicator undercover when not in use

Disposal of waste and packaging Any spilt pellets that cannot be spread to land MUST be disposed of via Licensed Waste Contractor All packaging should be emptied thoroughly with all residues spread as pellets Waste packaging and contaminated PPE should be disposed of via Licensed Waste Contractor

The Metaldehyde Stewardship Group (MSG) comprises of Lonza (the principal manufacturer of the active ingredient) and slug pellet formulators Barclay Crop Protection, Certis, Chiltern Farm Chemicals, De Sangosse, Doff Portland and Makhteshim Agan. The aim of the group is to promote and encourage best practice use of metaldehyde slug pellets in agriculture, minimise environmental impact and in particular protect water. The Metaldehyde Stewardship Group (MSG)