June 2009

NEWS RELEASE

FSC Chemical Derogations announced

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has granted derogations for the continued use of aluminium phosphide for rabbit control, warfarin for grey squirrel control and alpha-cypermethrin and cypermethrin for controlling Hylobius abietis pine weevils and Hylastes bark beetles in certified UK woodlands. The derogation for alpha-cypermethrin and cypermethrin will expire at the end of April 2011.

A derogation request for use of the herbicide propyzamide (‘Kerb’) was rejected.

The FSC maintains a list of chemicals it considers to be ‘highly hazardous’ which can only be used if a derogation is granted. The UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS) is drawn up to conform with both FSC and PEFC requirements so providing UK woodland owners with a route to FSC and PEFC certification through a single standard; the UKWAS standard therefore currently requires owners to obtain a derogation from FSC before using any chemicals classed by FSC as ‘highly hazardous’.

Derogation applications are made by the certification bodies on behalf of named estates; certified owners should check with their certification body for further information before using the derogated chemicals. Any continued use of non-derogated ‘highly hazardous’ chemicals, or the use of derogated chemicals other than in accordance with the derogation approvals, could result in the suspension of a certificate.