Aminopyralid does not pose a short-term problem, easily rectified and quickly forgotten. The possibilities below are not doomsday scenarios; they simply take the effects we are seeing now to their logical conclusion. Remember, what we are seeing now is just the beginning of the aminopyralid problem; aminopyralid has only been temporarily suspended, not permanently withdrawn. Even if DowAgro never renew their license aminopyralid will remain in our food chain for years to come. The majority of contaminated manure is still stacked and rotting, in preparation for spreading on fields, allotments and gardens in years to come.
Britain 2012…
Farmers, no longer trusting manure they formerly received free of charge, have to buy in expensive fertilisers instead. The price of fertilisers has risen significantly as suppliers struggle to meet demand, and a third blow is that large areas of land remain uncultivated due to contamination. Foreign crops must be imported to provide adequate supplies; even then the price of food has rocketed to an all-time high. Former staples such as potatoes, tomatoes, carrots and peas are becoming prohibitively expensive for many people.
Dairy prices have also risen substantially; dairy farmers must now pay for the licensed waste removal of manure that was previously disposed of at no cost. However, there is no national scheme for disposal and nowhere for a lot of it to go; Britain is fast aquiring manure mountains. Many farmers have no choice but to store manure on their own land, and because of improper storage, intentional or otherwise, manure run-off has become a severe environmental threat.
Home and allotment growers face higher bills too; a few lucky individuals have a source of manure that is guaranteed aminopyralid-free, but the unlucky majority, are, like farmers, having to rely on expensive fertilisers. Many allotments are out of action due to contamination, but high food prices has increased demand for plots, and waiting lists are longer than ever.
The composting industry has collapsed. The PAS 100 quality mark has been abandoned as virtually no producer could guarantee their product to be free of aminopyralid. The few who can are small-scale producers, charging high premiums.
Council taxes have risen significantly, even when compared to previous years, as councils have to send green waste that was previously composted to landfill. New waste sites are being opened to cope with demand, prompting protests from those who live close to the sites. Councils are also having to deal with the fly-tipping of contaminated material. Water bills have also risen, as the water companies attempt to deal with manure run-off that has entered the water table.
Remember, the affects of large-scale aminopyralid contamination will reach far beyond the allotment site. No matter who you are, no matter what you do, this could affect YOU. We are all consumers, and unless we fight for a ban now we will all end up victims of aminopyralid contamination. Click here to help ban this chemical!