5
THECOMMERCIAL GREENHOUSEGROWER • APRIL 2017
NEWS •
eligible for quarantine status and, if so, whether the
requirement shouldbe retained for thewhole of theEUor
restricted to those areas that want to stay free of thepest.
The alternativemeasurebeingproposed is a new
classificationof ‘regulated non-quarantinepests’, or
RNQP, which focuses on theplantingmaterial alone,
sets a specified tolerance for that plantingmaterial and
requires official control to suppress the organism rather
than eradicate it. “RNQP statuswouldmean that any
current plant passporting requirementswouldno longer
apply,” saidMrMcIntosh. However, in the case of TSWV
andLiriomyza, protected zones could still be apossibility,
too, for parts of theEU that want tomaintain their freedom
from the organism, although theUKbelieves they could
be ‘feasible andbeneficial’ only for the leafminers.
TheUKPlant HealthService is seeking industry views
on these recommendations, with responses neededby
May 11.MrMcIntosh said that while therewas ‘some
uncertainty in the context of Brexit’, the industry’s views
wouldhelp indevelopingproposalswhether theywere to
beEUor UK-based.
Rule change proposed to
statutory control of TSWV
Tomato spottedwilt virus (TSWV), adisease carried
bywestern flower thrips andonion thrips that can
affect awide range of glasshouse crops, both edible
andornamental, could lose its full quarantine status if
recommendations by theEU standing committee onplant
health are accepted.
The same has beenproposed for several chrysanthemum
diseases includingwhite rust and also the leafminers
Liriomyza huidobrensis and L. trifolii which are significant
pests of chrysanthemums.
The recommendations have emerged as part of theEU’s
reviewof its plant health regime. According to assistant
UK chief plant healthofficer RichardMcIntosh, the review
is being undertaken tobetter protect against plant health
threats in future and to reflect changes that have taken
place since the regimewas first introduced, such as
expansionof theEU and further globalisationof trade.
He said the aim is to consider whether listedpests or
diseases, which are subject to statutory control, remain
Exemptor® extension of use
includes peat-free
Exemptor® (thiacloprid), the only contact and systemic
pesticide for the control of black vineweevil in container-
grownornamental crops, can now alsobe used in all
peat-reduced andpeat-free growingmedia.
Previously authorized for use ingrowingmedia containing
at least 50%peat, Exemptor has beengranted anEAMU
(Extensionof Authorisation forMinor Use) to include all
commonly usedorganic growingmedia constituents –
includingpeat-free.
Mixed in togrowingmediabefore use, Exemptor is
authorized for use inprotected andoutdoor container-
grownornamental crops for the control of vineweevil and
scarid larvae (grubs) and toprovideprotection against
whitefly, aphids and leaf beetles.
“With steady growth indemand for peat freemixes,
and as the industry strives to reducepeat usage in line
withGovernment targets, this EAMU has beenwidely
welcomedby the industry,” saysNeil Pettican, headof
sales at Bayer.
“It is particularly goodnews for growers of fleshy rooted
perennials susceptible to vineweevil, such asPrimula
andHeucheras, aswell as vulnerable hardy nursery stock
genus includingRhododendrons andAzaleas,” says
AndrewWilson, ICL technical manager.
“TheEAMU is particularly timely as, following amild
winter, vineweevil pressure is likely tobe high this
season and the adult beetles are starting to emerge from
protected structures. Applied at the recommended rate of
400grams per cubicmetre of growingmedia, Exemptor
provides up to 38weeks control – effectively a full season
in the annual life cycle of vineweevil.”
To save time and labour, and for ease of use, Exemptor
canbepremixed in togrowingmediamixes at source.
Exemptormust not be usedonnon-organic type growing
substrates, such as rockwool.
VineWeevil.
