Contaminated manure warning

Larumbelle

RAS wrote: »

Added to which this chemical is sold under about 8 different names in the UK.

...and none of which is actually 'aminopyralid'.

I just found that there's a smiley for banging your head against a brick wall, thought it was quite appropriate for us all :wall:

But on the plus side, the BBC may have raised quite a bit of awareness, I've noticed a huge spike in visitors to the website, many of whom are coming via wikipedia or google searches. I'm pretty sure that it's not a coincidence. As Eddie Mair said, it

'could directly affect you, if you're one of those people who eats food'.

Incidentally, I may ask the BBC to digitally manipulate everything I say in future :rotfl:

Mini_JK

RAS wrote: »

3. From straw that they bought in and used for bedding

RAS: Aminopyralid is used on grasslands and straw comes from cereal crops (wheat or barley), so I can't imagine a situation how aminopyralid could get into straw. Sorry to be a bit pedantic but I'm pointing this out just in case people are considering making their own compost for next year and wish to use straw bales to bulk it up (I am thinking about doing this).

SKIPPY54

Did anyone see gardeners world tonight? I am sure that they said it washes out of the soil after three weeks and that food should be safe to use,if it washes out of soil it should wash out of manure.In my opinion this stuff is dangerous,it passes through the gut of cows and is still potent,the makers have withdrawn it, by doing so they are admiting that it is not safe.

SKIPPY54

Mini_JK wrote: »

RAS: Aminopyralid is used on grasslands and straw comes from cereal crops (wheat or barley), so I can't imagine a situation how aminopyralid could get into straw. Sorry to be a bit pedantic but I'm pointing this out just in case people are considering making their own compost for next year and wish to use straw bales to bulk it up (I am thinking about doing this).

Aminopyralid is used in Australia on cereal crops to spray against bindweed,so why not in Britain.
I would urge caution and find out if any sprays have been used,before buying straw or manure.

olly300

SKIPPY54 wrote: »

Did anyone see gardeners world tonight? I am sure that they said it washes out of the soil after three weeks and that food should be safe to use,if it washes out of soil it should wash out of manure.In my opinion this stuff is dangerous,it passes through the gut of cows and is still potent,the makers have withdrawn it, by doing so they are admiting that it is not safe.

I actually heard them saying it will be out of the soil by next year and the crops likely to be safe to eat.

greyhoundcrazy

Will sign it.

Most people on our plot get manure from the same farmer and so far noone has had a problem. One man did send something away for testing but the conclusion drawn was that the problem had nothing to do with 'A wotsit'.

We still have a pile left on the plot and wondered what to do with it, but since noone has had any problems, we will keep on using it. Won't be buying anymore this year though.

glallotments

SKIPPY54 wrote: »

Did anyone see gardeners world tonight? I am sure that they said it washes out of the soil after three weeks and that food should be safe to use,if it washes out of soil it should wash out of manure.In my opinion this stuff is dangerous,it passes through the gut of cows and is still potent,the makers have withdrawn it, by doing so they are admiting that it is not safe.

Hi Skippy,
You did hear the RHS say that but I know the interviews were subject to masses of editing.
Sorry if I am repeating anything already here. I'll try and summarise what actually happens. The aminopyralid binds to plant matter. This is incorporated into the manure/hay etc. When the manure/compost is mixed into the soil the plant matter gradually decomposes. During decomposition the aminopyralid is released into the soil. It is then that it affects plants. Once released the aminopyralid breaks down into CO2 and water and it is this process that takes about three weeks. However, the plant particles break down at different rates. Traces of aminopyralid may be in the soil for up to a year or more due to the rate of decomposition of all plant particles. We have some tomato plants only now showing signs of distress having been planted in affected soil for months. This means that some aminopyralid is only now being released into the soil in ground that had manure applied in February. (This is really why I have little faith in testing soil samples).

If stored in a heap decomposition is slower as the plant material isn't subjected to soil bacteria and unless the heap is turned it will become anaerobic and no decomposition will take place or it will slow down.
I hope I have explained that OK.

Larumbelle

Bump. I haven't been able to devote much attention to this lately, which is frustrating.

Interestingly, the RHS have stated in writing to myself and others that aminopyralid washes out of the soil within three weeks, which, as glallotments point out, is at the very least a misleading distortion of what actually happens. I have written to Guy Barter asking him why he persists in telling people this when it is at odds with all of the evidence... so far he is ignoring me, which is of course his right to do so, but it makes me so angry. Where are the experts and what are they doing? Why are they standing back and keeping stchum about it, or worse peddling half-truths that are counterproductive?

Has anyone had any luck with their MP? Mine referred me to DEFRA, who spouted out their usual claptrap. I wrote back to them and got a lovely reply telling me they've already stated their position and what do I hope to achieve by persuing this further? I've just written a cheeky response telling them that I hope to achieve a total ban, and if they'd only read my letter a little more closely that much would be clear :rotfl:

SKIPPY54

:mad: Do the RHS, Gardeners World really belive that this stuff washes out after three weeks. Anything that can go through a cows insides then excreated and put into a heap, left usually for months in a field or the corner of the farm yard before someone takes some of it to dig into their garden,wait for months for the crop to grow only to see it wither and die and be told it is safe to eat.:eek: GET REAL THIS STUFF IS DANGEROUS.:eek:

Larumbelle

So, it's been a little quiet on this thread lately (business took off for me again after the summer lull ) but a few bits of interest to note:

1) On 11/9/08 PSD announced that manure samples taken from affected land tested positive for aminopyralid. They also announced that this would be taken into consideration when deciding when (and if) the suspension of aminopyralid should be lifted: http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/garden.asp?id=2529

2) There are currently 1405 signatures on the Number 10 petition - anyone who has not yet done so, please sign it!!!! http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Aminopyralid/

3) I just spoke to a very nice chap at the SUNDAY TIMES! They are RUNNING AN ARTICLE!!!!!!!!!:j