It has been brought to our attention that in some instances products are being recommended as pesticides for use on poppies grown for medicinal purposes, to control insects, fungi and weeds. Such recommendations have included the pesticides, Rovral (iopriodine) or thiram dressings for seeds, and Centium, Reglone, Laser, Falcon, Chinook, and cypermethrin products for the growing crop. No approvals for use of these pesticides on this crop exists and therefore it is illegal to market or use these products for this purpose.
Products acting as pesticides are regulated under the Control of Pesticide Regulations 1986 (as amended), or the Plant Protection Products Regulations 1995 (as amended). Under these Regulations pesticides cannot be used on a particular crop unless an approval to do so has been granted by the Minister. In granting an approval an assessment is carried out to ensure, amongst other things, the safety to the consumer of the treated produce. As no approval for these uses exist the necessary risk assessments will not have been undertaken for use on medicinal poppies.
These products should therefore not be used or marketed for this purpose until and unless an appropriate approval is granted. Any growers will be the subject of enforcement action should such use continue.
For further information please contact Joan Reeves by telephoning 01904 455705, by fax on 01904 455733, by email to joan.reeves@hse.gsi.gov.uk, or in writing.
