Agri-Environment Scheme Agreement Holders and Managers/Owners of Grassland Wildlife Sites

Manure and dung (and urine) from animals fed on aminopyralid treated silage or hay could pose a risk to flower-rich meadows and pastures. Aminopyralid is effective against plant species in the daisy, buttercup, pinks, nettle and knotweed families, and is known to affect nightshade and pea family species including clovers. As a consequence, the potential risk to non-target wild flowers may be widespread. The scale of the risk is difficult to assess and is dependent on many factors and whilst there have been no reported incidents of damage to flower-rich grasslands the safest option is to prevent any exposure by following the guidance provided below.

Manure containing residues of aminopyralid will come from either:

stockpiled manure from 2008 from animals fed on aminopyralid treated silage or hay or;
manure from 2009 from animals fed on stored hay or silage treated with aminopyralid in 2007 or 2008.

If manure is bought-in it is essential to check its provenance before it is spread on flower-rich grassland.

Manure believed to be contaminated should not be spread onto any flower-rich meadows or pastures, particularly those designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or under any management where the aim is to maintain or enhance the diversity of wildflowers, as it may potentially cause damage to wildflowers present.
If it is determined that some manure is contaminated this should be spread on to an alternative area (e.g. species poor/improved grassland) where it can be disposed of safely and without risk of damage.
Wintered cattle fed on silage or hay from treated grassland should be turned out onto agriculturally improved/species poor grassland for a period of 3 days before grazing wildflower-rich old meadows or pasture to allow herbicide residues to pass through their digestive tract.
Contaminated manure should not be spread on fields on which flower-rich grassland is to be restored or re-created.

Further guidance on minimising risk to wildflower-rich habitats will be provided in the stewardship package to accompany future sale of products containing aminopyralid.