Withdrawal of Rotenone

Withdrawal of Rotenone

The Pesticide Safety Directorate has announced a decision to withdraw approval for the sale of the popular insecticide rotenone, more commonly known as derris. Found naturally in the roots of various tropical plants, rotenone is a popular organic pesticide which is used by both amateur and professional horticulturalists and the loss of the product will be a bitter blow for gardeners.

Bayer Garden’s Liquid Derris is among the range of products that will be withdrawn from sale. Commenting on the withdrawal, Bayer’s product manager, Robert Smith, said: “We respect the decision made by the PSD which is consistent with the rigorous standards being applied to all plant protection product registrations. The withdrawal of products containing rotenone, which have been used by gardeners for many years, will be a loss, particularly to those gardeners who prefer to use organic controls. Fortunately, there are a number of alternative products with more secure regulatory data support, both organic and conventional, available to gardeners who will be able to continue to protect their plants from pests just as effectively.”

There is no official date for withdrawal as yet, but retailers are likely to have until September 2008 to sell their remaining stocks. Gardeners will now have to turn to alternative products to protect their plants. The nearest option in the Bayer Garden range will be Organic Pest Control but Provado Ultimate Bug Killer would be the best substitute in terms of the widest range of edibles covered and the diversity of pests controlled.

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