| answer text |
<p>Slug pellets are regulated as pesticides. This means that they may only be sold
and used if scientific risk assessments find no harmful effect on people and no unacceptable
effects on the environment. Possible effects on wildlife (including earthworms and
birds) are considered as part of the environmental assessment. Regulatory decisions
are regularly reviewed so that safety can be reassessed using the latest data and
scientific knowledge.</p><p> </p><p>A recent review of the substance metaldehyde raised
concerns about risks to birds and mammals; the use of slug pellets containing metaldehyde
is therefore being phased out. Other slug pellets are based on ferric phosphate; the
latest risk assessment of this substance concluded that it met all the safety requirements,
including those relating to earthworms and birds.</p>
|
 |
