Farmers using herbicides to protect oilseed rape have been urged by the Voluntary Initiative (VI) to check whether their land is in a Water Safeguard Zone. These are areas which influence the quality of drinking water, and their boundaries can change each year. VI has published advice for farmers on active ingredients in herbicides which require special attention. They have also advised not to apply herbicides if heavy rainfall is due, drains are likely to flow within a week or soil is dry and cracked.

Key Takeaways:

• Drinking Water Safeguard Zones are catchment areas that influence drinking water quality.
• Every farmer needs to know whether they are in a Water Safeguard Zone. Check every year as boundaries change and you may be on the edge or the water company may designate a new zone.
• Key advice is to avoid applying herbicides if drains are flowing or likely to flow within seven days of application or if heavy rainfall is likely within 48 hours.

“OSR herbicide active ingredients (AIs) under particular scrutiny by water companies are metazachlor, quinmerac, carbetamide and propyzamide”

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