What to do if you have Aminopyralid Contaminated Manure?

It is important to check before using farmyard or stable manure that it does not contain the agricultural weed killer aminopyralid.

Aminopyralid has been used on farms to control weeds in grasslands. Where treated grass was eaten by livestock their manure may contain residues of the weed killer.

There may still be some affected manure and, while there are no concerns for human health, its use can cause poor distorted growth in many crops including beans, peas, potatoes and tomatoes, which will reduce harvests.

Therefore, ask the supplier to confirm that the manure does not contain aminopyralid. Stable owners may not be able to offer this assurance, so be very cautious about using stable manure.

If you have already used manure and now suspect that it might have contained aminopyralid…..

If it has been used on empty beds in preparation for planting, dig or rotavate it thoroughly into the soil and leave it for several months to allow soil bacteria to break down the aminopyralid. If it has been spread around plants, remove as much as you can as plants may be affected by the remaining manure.

It is best to dispose of unused or removed manure by asking:

• Supplier of manure
• A local farmer
• Local Council at household recycling centres

Please check before travelling and in all cases you must explain that it may contain residues of aminopyralid.

Other Useful Websites 

For more information visit:

• Chemicals Regulation Directorate - telephone them on 01904 455775 between 9.00am and 1.00pm (Mon to Fri).
• Dow AgroScience 

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