Potato Review

www.potatoreview.com POTATO REVIEW MAY/JUNE 2020 5 NEWS Could weeds aid bio-control? The thought of weeds thriving in a farm’s arable crops is usually cause for concern, but it might be one way to help invertebrates to recover according to a new study by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT). The organisation has found that as the number of arable weeds increased, so did the number and diversity of invertebrates. This means more food for farmland birds and may mean more food for pollinators and more natural control of crop pests (biological control). Support for open farms Growers are being invited to take part in LEAF Open Farm Sunday on June 7th. Free networking and information events led by LEAF co-ordinators are being held throughout April to support growers wanting to take part. For more information, please visit www.farmsunday.org The 15th edition of PotatoEurope will be held on September 2nd and 3rd in Villers-Saint- Christophe, in the Aisne department. Organised every four years by ARVALIS with support from the potato industry, the international open-field event expects to attract 15,000 attendees and 400 exhibitors over an area of more than 40 hectares. PotatoEurope is dedicated to innovations and technical advice to face challenges of productivity, quality, competitiveness and respect for the environment. At the 2016 event, almost 40% of the 12,000 attendees were international, coming from more than 70 di›erent countries and attendees have included partners in fundamental research, applied research, development, distribution and agricultural supplies, with the aim of improving the production, quality and status of the crop. 15th edition of PotatoEurope EU Commission con rms end of the road for Monceren Bayer is maintaining its previous advice not to use the potato tuber treatment, Monceren (pencycuron) this season after the European Commission followed through on proposals to set a newmaximum residue limit (MRL). The Commission’s proposal of a lower limit of 0.01 mg/kg is expected to become ožcial by June. A transitional period of up to six months is likely to follow to allow treated crops in store to be cleared after which any imported or treated crop will have to meet the newMRL. While this means Monceren could still be applied during spring 2020, the potatoes produced from the treated tubers would need to be sold by the end of the unconfirmed transitional period. Therefore to minimise the risk of exceedances of the MRL, Bayer is continuing to advise growers not to apply the product this spring on any crops, either entirely or in part, that will be used in food or feed. Seed growers who cannot be certain that part or all of their crop will not be diverted to these markets should also consider using an alternative product such as Emesto Prime (penflufen). Bayer will take back unopened and undamaged stocks of Monceren. For returns, contact the distributor. Y – FOR ADDED PEACE OF MIND www.grimme.co.uk *Terms and conditions apply GRIMME PROTECT enables you to extend your original GRIMME warranty on a new machine for up to a total of 5 years* and it is available on used GRIMME machines too.

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