NINE EMERGENCY authorisations for chemicals to protect potato, herb, celery, carrot, parsnip, cherry and plum crops were secured this week for UK growers.

The 120-day authorisations were issued in response to high risks of crop damage from late blight, aphids, spotted wing drosophila and a range of weeds.

AHDB’s crop protection team coordinated the applications following serious concerns over available control options identified through collaboration with industry.

Crop protection senior scientist Viv Powell said: “We have worked closely with growers, crop associations, product manufacturers, our counterparts in the EU and regulators to secure these products.

“The authorisations will give growers the option to use these products as part of their integrated control strategies to help ensure a productive crop this season.”

An emergency authorisation for Teppeki was confirmed by the Chemicals Regulation Division in June. Afalon will provide carrot, parsnip, celery and herb growers with 120 days of access to linuron, the main active ingredient, which was withdrawn from use on a range of crops in early June this year.

Organic Potato growers have also been given the go-ahead to use Cuprokylt to control late blight.

Tree fruit and soft fruit growers have been provided with emergency authorisations to help combat pressure from spotted wing drosophila.

Further emergency authorisations are expected later in June. The dates for authorisations are being scheduled to consider peak pest pressure.

To find out more about AHDB’s crop protection programme, visit https://horticulture.ahdb.org.uk/extension-authorisation-minor-use-eamu