Information Update: 07/2010
Issued: 27 April 2010
Introduction
This Information Update is to clarify the definition of crops grown for conservation purposes under the Crop Hierarchies, for example the ELS wild bird seed and nectar flower mixes, and to help identify products that can be used in such situations.
Information for growers and the crop protection industry
Crops grown for conservation purposes are covered by the situation 'Green cover on land not being used for crop production' under the Crop Hierarchies.
'Green cover on land not being used for crop production' is defined in the Crop Hierarchies as 'Areas of land with a vegetation cover that have been removed (temporarily or otherwise) from production. For example some types of set aside. Includes fields or non-crop field margins covered by natural regeneration or by a planted green cover crop that will not be harvested. Does NOT include use in industrial crops or inter-row use within a crop (edible or non-edible)'. Although this doesn't specifically refer to these types of crops, they are included under '....by a planted green cover crop that will not be harvested'.
As a result, any product that specifies this use can be used in such situations. Details of approved products can be found on The Pesticide Register Database on our website. However, please note that this definition covers a wide range of situations and, the commercial risk is entirely the grower's own responsibility if the product label does not specifically refer to the crop/species mix you are treating.
The Long Term Arrangements for Extension of Use and SOLAs for use on crops grown for game cover do not cover these situations.
If a grower wishes to use a product that is not currently approved for use on green cover on land not being used for crop production, then they will need to apply for a SOLA before use. Guidance on applying for a SOLA can be found on our website .
Contact Information
Enquiries concerning this Update should be sent to the CRD Grower Champion: Francis Daly (Tel 01904 455824), francis.daly@hse.gsi.gov.uk
