Read the Labels
A recent seminar run by DNRE on control of insect pests on dairy farms a recurrent theme arose which applies to all chemicals used on farms. Be they pesticides, herbicides or veterinary chemicals the message is the same.
Ignore the label instructions at your peril.
- Open selling chemicals
- Instances shown in this seminar revolved around pesticides.
Some of the pitfalls pointed out were:
- Alteration in rates for different spraying techniques such as low versus high volume spraying.
- Expected use of crop post treatment. Some chemicals have different withholding periods if they are to be applied to pasture to be grazed as opposed to pasture to be cut for hay.
- It was apparent that the proper use of the product was not possible without fully reading and understanding the label. As the end user, the farmer is responsible for using the product in a manner for which it has been approved. The critical comments on a label are just as important as the rest and may have a bearing on the way the product is used.
If the product is used according to label recommendations there should not be a problem with residues in produce from the farm. If a problem does occur, being able to demonstrate correct usage will enable a sound defence. If there has been "off label" use of the product there is no defence and the penalties can be severe.
Use of an open selling product off label under the advice of an "expert" will also be difficult to defend, as there is no clear definition of an expert in these fields. So the message is if you're not sure don't do it.
- Restricted Veterinary Chemicals
- The drugs supplied by veterinarians come under similar strict controls.
Each product is registered for particular use in particular disease situations. Dose rates and withholding periods are set down by the controlling bodies based on scientific evidence which must be gained for every product prior to registration.
Use of products off label has the same consequences as with open selling products. On occasions veterinarians will prescribe use of a product off label. The responsibility for residue problems, if they arise, rests on the veterinarian as an officially recognised expert in the field. The producer advised on such use will be indemnified in this case. Only veterinarians are permitted to recommend off label use and only when they have supporting evidence that it is an appropriate therapy. There must also be no product available which can be used and is registered for this purpose.
There are certain veterinary chemicals that are not allowed for use in food producing animals. Use of these chemicals by veterinarians has been strongly discouraged. Apart from the regulatory requirements on these drugs there are certain ethical reasons to discourage vets from their use such as the chance of resistance development to an antibiotic use to treat certain diseases in humans.
Click here to view the rest of the 1999 May newsletter.