Who are you?
We are a group of gardeners based around the country who decided to do something about aminopyralid contamination. Some of us have qualifications, some just life experience.
Why are you doing this?
Because we want to be able to use compost and manure products without fear of contaminating our land or our crops. We think that having the opportunity to grow your own crops without fear of chemical contamination is a fundamental right.
Have you been affected personally?
No, thankfully none of us has as yet suffered contamination. But as we all know, that does not mean that we are ’safe’. In any case we do not believe that not having been personally affected is any reason to sit back and do nothing.
Why have you got it in for farmers/DowAgro/the agrochem industry?
Let us get something straight. We are not ‘against’ anybody. We know that Dow puts warnings on its products, we know that not everybody wants to grow organically, we know that 95% of farmers use chemicals responsibly. However, aminopyralid is getting into manure across the country, suggesting that some people are (knowingly or unwittingly) failing to follow the instructions. As far as we are concerned, this makes aminopyralid unsuitable for use. Whilst we don’t particularly like DowAgro or the things that they do, this isn’t about them.
I’m from the press. Can I quote you?
Absolutely! But we would prefer that you contact us rather than quoting directly from the website. Email info@muckinthemuck and we can provide information, quotes and our contact details. We can also put you in contact with individuals who have been personally affected by aminopyralid contamination, and useful people at many other organisations.
How can I tell if my crops are affected?
Take a look at this page. The only practical way to tell right now is by visual inspection.
The damage to my plants doesn’t look anything like those photos - what’s wrong with them?
We are not able to identify the cause of crop damage or crop failure for you, so please don’t send photos asking us to! We suggest that you ask an experienced gardener or allotment-holder to take a look for you, or failing that google the symptoms. If you are a member of Garden Organic or the RHS, you could send a sample to their identification service.
I’ve seen companies offering to test for contamination. Why shouldn’t I use them?
It is, of course, your own choice whether to commission a test, but we would point out that these companies are not doing anything that you can’t do yourself for a fraction of the cost, and also that any results they offer are far from conclusive.
What should I do if I think I’ve got contamination?
Information can be found here.
Can I eat affected produce?
Official advice is that it should be safe to do so, although previous advice was not to do so (and no further research has been carried out since this time). You should bear in mind that aminopyralid is not licensed for use on food crops. In any case, most crops affected by aminopyralid will not bear a useable crop.
Why do you recommend that people take legal action? It’s not the supplier’s fault!
We do not recommend that people take legal action, but we do recommend that people learn all of the facts before making a decision. Of course, some suppliers sold contaminated material unwittingly - but that doesn’t mean that they’re necessarily in the right!
Aminopyralid has been withdrawn now. What’s the point of all this?
Aminopyralid might not be sprayed at the moment, but that doesn’t make all of the associated problems magically disappear. People are still suffering from the effects of aminopyralid contamination and will do so for many years yet, even if the chemical is never sprayed again. Many people who are affected will not yet be aware that it is aminopyralid causing their problems - this is why, every time the problem is mentioned in the media, we see a wave of people who suddenly realise what has happened to their plants. In addition, aminopyralid has only been withdrawn temporarily. DowAgro have stated that they plan to begin marketing it again in the near future. We don’t believe this should happen, and ask people to campaign against aminopyralid to ensure that it doesn’t.