The Department of Agriculture has introduced a derogation which allows organic farms struggling to control invasive plant species to use substances which are prohibited for use on organic farms.

The Department’s organic unit issued correspondence this week to organic farmers, organic control bodies and farm advisers informing them of the flexibility.

It stated: “Invasive plant species are having a detrimental effect on many organic farms and mechanical control methods in some cases are contributing to their proliferation and are no longer a viable option.

Therefore, where mechanical, approved biological control and other methods have been exhausted, the only treatment that may have a positive effect involves the use of substances that are prohibited for use on organic farms.”

It added that EU organic regulation (2018/848) recognises that treatment for invasive plant species by prohibited products may be necessary as part of a compulsory control measure. However, in such instances the lands on which prohibited substances are used must re-enter a conversion phase “for a period to determined by the competent authority, ie DAFM”.

Specific conditions

Plant protection products may be used under the following conditions:

  • 1. This landscape action requires a management plan recommended by an experienced and qualified ecologist and a derogation must be sought from DAFM via the Organic Certification Body (OCB). No treatment can take place until the derogation has been approved by the DAFM.
  • 2. The management plan must contain a site-specific plan for the farm that clearly outlines the area and LPIS parcel number(s) to be treated and the invasive plant species to be managed. These parcels must be clearly marked on a map.
  • An overview of mechanical and approved biological controls methods already undertaken must be outlined. The plan must provide details naming the chemical(s) to be used and information describing the method of application and rates to be applied. These pesticide details must be recommended by a DAFM-approved pesticide adviser.
  • 3. A maximum of 5% of the holding per calendar year can be treated.
  • The derogation request to DAFM must include details on the storage of these plant protection products on the organic holding.
  • 5. Once the treatment has taken place, this land area will re-enter conversion for a period, specified as follows:
  • a) For lowland farms: Where possible the area should be fenced off to include a 10-meter exclusion zone with no access for stock for a period of six months. A further six months conversion period will then apply. Land will then revert back to organic status 12 months post treatment.
  • b) For commonage areas: Stock should not have access to the commonage for a 12-month period. It is advisable to notify the other organic farmers who are farming this commonage as this recommendation is applicable to them also.

    • The Department highlights that the in-conversion top-up payment cannot be received twice on the same parcel of land. Further information can be found on the Department’s website. The plants listed include giant hogweed, giant rhubarb, Himalayan balsam, Japanese knotweed, montbretia, old man’s beard and rhododendron ponticum.