UK: Define baby-leaf crop
In crop protection authorisations, including EAMUs, a baby-leaf crop will now be defined as the young leaves and petioles of any plants grown for harvest beyond the seedling stage (after true leaves have formed) but before the eight true-leaf stage – in other words, any salad crops harvested before eight true leaves will be classed as baby leaves.
That means products that are currently authorised for use in crops such as spinach, lettuce, chard, beet leaves, rocket and land cress can no longer be used on these crops when they’re grown as baby leaves. They can only be used if the crops are grown and harvested past eight true leaves.
Any authorisations for ‘baby-leaf production’, ‘baby-leaf brassicas’ and ‘leaves and shoots’ can be used for all baby-leaf crops including spinach, chard, lettuce, rocket, land cress and so on, if harvested before the eight true-leaf stage.
HDC Crop Protection Liaison Manager, Bolette Palle Neve, “We were aware this change was coming and have been working to look at the impact on baby-leaf crops and to flag up any gaps in authorisations. This impact analysis has been passed to the Chemicals Regulation Directorate who are working hard to ensure the gaps are filled, by issuing new EAMUs, before the new rules come into force."
“Whether all the gaps will be filled is still not clear but we are likely to see a number of new authorisations for baby-leaf crops issued before the end of the year.”
Because of the number of authorisations affected, HDC will keep growers informed by sending out various communications and posting all of the EAMUs issued as a result of the new crop definition here www.hdc.org.uk/babyleafcropdefinition, which will provide additional information and list any new EAMUs as they are released.
The changes have come about because the Health and Safety Executive (CRD’s parent body) recently published a new Crop definitions list to replace the current Crop hierarchy, which brings into line the terminology for the uses given in plant protection product authorisations and databases. For more information see www.pesticides.gov.uk/guidance/industries/pesticides/topics/databases/crop-hierarchy-introduction