The survey report into pesticide usage on Northern Ireland mushroom farms will soon be available online.
The summary of the report is carried in this issue. One of the reports author’s had this to say about the findings: “An interesting finding of the report and one which may be of importance to readers, was the inappropriate use by some growers of the insecticide active ingredient bendiocarb (Ficam), with applications continuing AFTER the compost had been placed in the mushroom house.
Although Ficam is marketed as a ‘Biocide’ and thus does not appear in the UK Pesticide Guide (green book), it is in fact a carbamate insecticide and there are strict label recommendations which must be adhered to when using in food preparation environments, including mushroom houses, i.e. it should only be used as a PRE-FILL house treatment and NOT at any time when compost has been placed in a house, or at ANYTIME when mushrooms are growing within the house.”
It would be well worth the time to peruse the full report – go to the following link to find it: http://www.afbini.gov.uk/index/services/services-specialist-advice/pesticide-usage/pesticide-reports-table.htm or go online to themushroompeople.com and click on the link from there.
