BURSTOW BACKS GARDENERS IN FIGHT TO STOP CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION OF FERTILSERS

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 23rd Oct 2009

Local gardeners and allotment holders are up in arms over news that the Government is set to re-licence a weed killer that has been linked to contamination in manure that has damaged crops.

Local Liberal Democrat MP, Paul Burstow, first took up the campaign to have the product known as aminopyralid last year. Then his campaign helped to force the Government to withdraw the weed killer from sale.

News that the Government were reconsidering the issue prompted allotment holder to launch a national petition on the Number 10 website and contact local MPs. In response Mr Burstow has tabled a Commons motion calling on the Government not to reinstate aminopyralid and to write to Ministers urging them to abandon their plans.

Commenting Paul Burstow MP said, "Last year I was inundated with complaints for gardeners and allotment holders about the way in which this weed killer contaminates manure and then in turn causes the failure of crops like beans, peas, potatoes and tomatoes, soft fruits and flowers. No wonder gardeners were furious. The issue was even raised on Gardeners Question Time!

"Then the Government listened to public concern and de-registered the weed killer. Since then nothing has changed, the problem with aminopyralid persists. It makes no sense to reinstate it now."

ENDS

Note to editors, allotments holders are available to comment further on request.