Source: Environmental Protection Authority
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is standardising the controls for products containing clopyralid, so that plants sprayed with the persistent weedkiller are less likely to contaminate compost.
Clopyralid is used to control weeds in sports turf, lawns, and on farms and in forestry. If plants sprayed with the substance get into compost, the compost can harm some garden plants, causing them to become stunted or distorted. A wide range of plants are affected.
“We have now aligned all the compost controls for weedkillers containing clopyralid with an existing approval which already has appropriate controls,” says Max Thoma, EPA Manager Hazardous Substances Reassessments.
“This will make the rules consistent, easy to follow, and fair for businesses importing, selling or using clopyralid products.
“Prior to this decision, many of the products had slightly different controls as they had gone through separate approval processes at different times.”
“Ultimately, these changes will make it less likely for clopyralid to contaminate compost and damage plants.”
The decision was made via a new reassessment pathway, which allows the EPA to align controls for products containing the same active ingredients, based on a previous EPA or a recognised international regulator decision.
All clopyralid products will now have the same restrictions on use and labelling requirements relating to compost, including:
A composting restriction: plants sprayed with clopyralid cannot be used to make compost (or similar materials such as mulch, fertiliser, or mushroom substrate).
Workplace restriction: clopyralid-containing substances cannot be sold to the general public and can only be sold to workplaces, ensuring they are only sold to people with appropriate skills and knowledge.
Additional label statements to communicate the restrictions to the user.
For tips on disposing of weeds sprayed with clopyralid and making sure your compost doesn’t contain clopyralid:
