In This Issue
Wyevale sell Findon to existing manager and announce closure of Rayleigh
Simplicity and consolidation...that's the message from Durstons
Hot July sets garden centre sales records
Did you know we sell Duracell Batteries?
Sales of plants in July down by 9%
Webbs buy Cheltenham and Blue Diamond buy Bridgemere Garden Centre and Nursery
£20k is GIMA's 20th birthday present to Greenfingers charity
Innovators invited to enter GIMA's 2019 Seed Corn Fund scheme
Glee looks to a plastic-free future as suppliers ramp up eco initiatives
Katie Blake stockist wins 5-star Barbados holiday
Haskins staff's static 'bikeathon' raised £320 for charity
Johnsons Lawn Seed to showcase breakthrough in grass seed technology at Glee
Public votes Ruthin garden centre cafe as best in Wales
Metaldehyde ban reversal won't hold back demand for natural slug controls says supplier
Gardens Group backs wildlife-friendly gardening awards for 10th year
Sir Terry Leahy tops bill at industry's Cultivating Retail conference
Colchester centre wins top title in Essex media awards
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Hot July is great for garden product sales
Dutch wholesaler and Plantarium show plan closer links
Record July for Growing Media
Garden centre sales 10% up for year despite weak June says HTA
Wild Bird Care up by 11% for July
Veg-2-Gro runs out of steam
The best of last week's
Longacres grow to five and Maidenhead Aquatics add another garden centre as Wyevale sell 2 more
B&M to include garden centre in Ipswich re-location to former Homebase
Smart appoints head for new Zöon pet brand
Monkton Elm and Old Railway Line win GCA's top Wales and West honours
Irish grower targets UK garden centre sales after expanding production
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Metaldehyde ban reversal won't hold back demand for natural slug controls says supplier

Demand for natural slug controls will continue to grow, despite the withdrawal and review of the metaldehyde ban following a High Court ruling, says ecofective.

 

The news that the ban on chemical metaldehyde slug pellets had been overturned on a technicality following a legal challenge by a commercial slug pellet producer took the industry by surprise. DEFRA’s ban saw retailers clear shelves of metaldehyde-based products by the end of June.

 

Ecofective’s head of sales, Nigel Thompson, said: “The news that metaldehyde could return as a result of this decision is disappointing and flies in the face of growing consumer demand for natural and environmentally friendly pest control products. We know that retailers and consumers are crying out for slug control products that protect precious plants from molluscs without posing a risk to nature or the wider environment - and that is what we will continue to deliver.”

 

Ecofective Slug Killer uses a ferric phosphate formula approved for organic gardening on bare ground outdoors, in greenhouses and under permanent or temporary covers. It contains a bait that causes slugs to stop feeding and move away from the area. Other manufacturers also use ferric phosphate in their formulations.

A Defra spokesperson saidthe government has decided to withdraw and review the decision made in December 2018 to restrict the sale and use of metaldehyde products following concerns raised about the decision-making process.

 

“We will retake the decision as swiftly as possible, taking account of the procedural points raised.  Our priority is to protect people and the environment, and all decisions on pesticides are always based on the best available science,” her added.

 

Sources close to suppliers said it was unlikely production of metaldehyde pellets for UK retail use would be resumed until the results of the review were available.

 

A spokesman for the Common Sense Gardening Group, which encourages consumers to use of pesticides responsibly, said: “The High Court has overturned the 2018 withdrawal of products containing metaldehyde by Defra on the basis of a legal technicality. Whilst this court case is an important decision, we will wait to see the practical outcome of this with further comments from Health and Safety Executive/Chemical Regulations Division.”

 

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