CONSULTATION OUTCOME: FINAL REPORT
Public Consultation - Final outcome report.pdf
Original Consultation
1. Background
Metaldehyde
This active substance is used in
plant protection products to control slugs and snails is approved for use
within the European Union in line with Commission Implementing Directive
2011/54/EU of 20 April 2011 amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC to include
metaldehyde as active substance and amending Commission Decision 2008/934/EC.
The active substance is very
important for the agricultural industry since slugs and snails are pests which
have negative impact on the agricultural produce in Malta. Slugs and snails use
slime to travel. A humid environment makes it ideal for them since they need to
secrete less slime to travel. As a result, slugs and snails prefer to travel
after rainstorms, after irrigation and during the night.
Slugs and snails thrive in climates
where the humidity is 65% or higher. The average annual percentage of humidity
in Malta is 76.0%, thus making the climate an ideal one for them.
Misuse of Metaldehyde
Numerous incidents have been
reported where plant protection products containing the active substance
metaldehyde were used to poison domestic animals such as dogs and cats. When
these animals ingest the pellets, toxicity develops very quickly. Signs of
poisoning typically include vomiting, as a result of the metaldehyde irritating
the lining of the stomach. Following such symptoms, the animals may become
anxious and suffer from a fast heartbeat, increased breathing rates,
salivation, tremors and ultimately organ failure.
Such incidents have taken place in
public areas such as parks and streets. Pets have been poisoned during a walk
or outing by the owners when ingesting metaldehyde pellets which would have
been scattered in the different areas. Other incidents occurred also on stray
animals, where food was spiked with metaldehyde pellets. Most of such incidents
result in a long and painful death for the animals.
In addition, to the high risk
imposed on pets and stray animals as a result of the misuse of these plant
protection products, consideration should be taken that such uses could result
in accidental poisoning of children. This is especially because most of the
incidents happen in parks or other public areas. Young children tend to pick up
things from the ground and place them in their mouths. Such practice may result
in the ingestion of the pellets and eventual accidental poisoning of the child.
Proposed restrictive measures
In accordance with the Sustainable
Use of Pesticides Regulations (S.L 430.08) and in line with the precautionary principle in restricting the
use and of plant protection products containing metaldehyde, it is being
proposed that the use and sale of these products will be restricted to
professional users certified in line with Regulation 4(3) of S.L 430.08.
Since the use of
plant protection products containing the active substance metaldehyde will be
restricted to professional users only, the sale and distribution of these
products shall be restricted to distributors certified in line with Regulation
4(3) of S.L 430.08.