The latest Specific Off-Label Approval (SOLA) for the residual herbicide Stomp Aqua in outdoor cabbage has won the support of vegetable grower Stephen Watkins.

The National Farmers’ Union horticulture board member regards the herbicide as his foundation product across the farm and supports the principles of the SOLA process that enables products being used on minor crops.

Watkins regards pendimethalin as a cornerstone product across the farm and insists that without SOLAs many vegetable and grass-seed growers would struggle.

He said: “I would, however, support a simplification and standardisation of applying for a SOLA, as it is a complex and costly process for a small individual grower to undertake.

“I use pendimethalin on carrots, onions and sweetcorn as well as in cereals. It is a very important active ingredient and one that we must retain in the longer term.

“Vegetable growers have lost quite a few active ingredients in the last few years as they are just too expensive for the manufacturers to maintain registration.”

BASF is the manufacturers of pendimethalin and have developed a strong list of crops on the ‘Stomp’ label including all carrots, parsnips, onions, leeks, brassicas and potatoes.

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