Metaldehyde slug pellets banned in UK from 1 April

A popular slug-killing pesticide has been banned from sale or use in the UK as of 1 April.

Metaldehyde, the main pesticide in slug pellets, has been banned after it was ruled that the ingredient poses “an unacceptable” risk to birds and mammals such as hedgehogs.

Alternative pesticides containing ferric phosphate provide effective control of slugs and snails without carrying the same risks to wildlife.

The new restrictions on metaldehyde will also reduce the possibility of the pesticide contaminating drinking water sources.

The ban was first announced in 2018 by then Environment Secretary Michael Gove, following advice from the UK Expert Committee on Pesticides and the Health and Safety Executive.

However, the decision was successfully challenged in the High Court by metaldehyde slug pellet manufacturer Chiltern Farm Chemicals and the ban was declared “unlawful” after the government conceded its decision-making process was “flawed.”

In September 2020, farming minister Victoria Prentis announced the pesticide would be phased out by 31 March 2022 to allow growers and gardeners “appropriate time” to switch to alternative slug control measures.

Ms Prentis said at the time: “The scientific evidence is clear - the risks metaldehyde poses to the environment and to wildlife are too great.

“The government is committed to building back greener from coronavirus and the restrictions on the use of metaldehyde are another step towards building a cleaner and greener country for the next generation.”

While slugs can cause significant damage to farmers’ crops and gardeners’ plants, pesticides containing ferric phosphate can provide effective control without carrying the same risks to wildlife as metaldehyde slug pellets.

Alternative methods of pest control also include cultural techniques like planting slug resistant crop varieties, selectively timing irrigation and harvest and sowing seeds more deeply into the soil.