Growers using metaldehyde slug pellets on crops this spring must continue to follow best practice stewardship guidelines, despite the upcoming withdrawal of the active, the Metaldehyde Stewardship Group (MSG) has pointed out.

The call comes in reaction to water companies reporting the worst autumn for exceedances of it in the drinking water standard, in raw water, since 2017.

David Cameron, chairman of the Metaldehyde Stewardship Group (MSG), the industry body set up to promote responsible use of metaldehyde, explains the current withdrawal status.

“Stocks of the slug pellet will not be able to be sold after the end of February, 2021, but farmers may continue to use up existing stocks until March 31, 2022. We are, therefore, urging responsible use of pellets right up until the end of the use up period to help stop metaldehyde reaching watercourses in all areas of the UK, especially in drinking water catchments,” he said this week.

The wet weather experienced last autumn was similar to that of 2017 and both weather patterns had made water catchments particularly vulnerable.

Alister Leggatt, catchment manager at Affinity Water, representing Water UK, highlighted the impacts this had on water companies in managing water supply within drinking water standard parameters: “Across the UK, we saw a total of 168 exceedances of the drinking water standard in raw water abstracted by water companies last autumn.

“For one company, this led to 14 abstraction facilities for reservoirs being shut for a total of 127 days when they should be filled to cope with demand for water in the summer. This issue has had a knock-on impact on our ability to provide safe and affordable drinking water to our networks in a number of regions.”

Dr Cameron added: “Over the last decade the MSG has paved the way, with support from the wider industry, in showcasing how collaborative industry working can help minimise the risk of metaldehyde reaching raw surface water.

"However, it’s critical that this continues right up until the use up deadline date of March 31, 2022 to safeguard water quality and support the water companies."

Key stewardship guidelines:

* Metaldehyde slug pellets must only by used as part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme.

* Factors such as soil and stubble management, planting methods, weather, trapping and monitoring should all be considered as part of slug control programmes.

* If treatment is necessary, it’s imperative to refer to the full set of MSG guidelines.