EU ban on pesticides...

[teakdesk]

A long time ago on this forum there was a lot of discussion about the legality of making your own pesticides after the EU published a list of the pesticides that were permitted.

Another post mentioning using soap sprays (fairy liquid?!?!?!?!??!) as an insecticide reminded me of it.

If I remember correctly most folk just thought, as I do, "sod the EU, I'll make my own decisions!".

Has there been any change or clarification to the EU law?
Does it really apply to home growers?
Does anyone care?
Should we care?

[veggiechicken]

Whatever our personal opinions, if its illegal, there's really nothing to discuss.
Its your choice whether you break the law or comply

[Two_Sheds]

one may think it's harmless, but it doesn't take much to damage an entire ecosystem. I think bans come in because people simply can't be trusted to use chemicals responsibly: they don't read instructions, they don't follow advice & they don't believe what they do is harmful. So the toys are taken away.

BBC News - River Kennet pesticide pollution prompts call for ban

Farmer sorry after pollution leak kills thousands of fish - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

I lost half my plot one summer because my neighbour decided to spray Round Up on a windy day

[teakdesk]

I wasn't thinking of situations where someone gets their home chemical set out and starts mixing vile concoctions but of more "innocent" home brews.

Another poster said this morning that she sprays her courgettes with milk against mildew - milk is not on the EU approved list so is illegal.

The same is true for mild soap sprays

And rhubarb leaves fermented in water is also not approved.


I've never heard of anyone prosecuted for spraying milk on plants so I wondered if the law had changed!

[Nicos]

Here is the up to date rhs advice on pesticides....

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/pdfs/pe...home-gardeners

[teakdesk]

Thanks Nicos.

Interesting reading which does seem to prevent me using milk or rhubarb sprays on plants.

Since GCHQ are probably reading this I'd better not admit to doing it!!!