Environmental sustainability
Trials have shown CUTAWAY has no negative impact on other plants or vegetation. In practice, wildflowers and shrubs do not need to be protected or shrouded during application.
The reduction in grass growth and shading can allow other valuable flora to establish and increase the diversity of species within the sward.
The application of CUTAWAY has no effect on insects or worms and soil microflora.
Less frequent mowing reduces the potential risk to wildlife populations and minimises any disruption to breeding insects and birds in the valuable roadside habitat.
Ecologists from Local Authorities and independent bodies can confidently approve a season-long CUTAWAY programme to reduce the environmental impact of maintenance operations.
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Environmental Impact Assessment
CUTAWAY has undergone full and rigorous risk assessments of the potential environmental impacts throughout the UK registration and approval process. The evaluation of the ecological studies has also fully satisfied the independent regulatory authorities.
PASSED risk assessments used by the Regulatory Authorities for arthropods, bees and soil organisms, including earthworms. There was no effect on either nitrogen or carbon mineralization at doses up to nearly 100 times the predicted environmental concentration in soil.
PASSED assessments showing the risk from spray drift or run off during application for all aquatic organisms, including Lemna species were acceptable. CUTAWAY has no LERAP buffer zone for treatment alongside watercourses.
PASSED risk assessments carried out on operator exposure, bystander exposure and re-entry of treated areas by children. CUTAWAY is of low acute toxicity and not irritating to either skin or eyes.
The EU Commission and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), together with the Member States, were satisfied with the results of the long-term risk assessments showing no adverse effects on both human health and the environment.
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