WRAG’s website address:
http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/guidance/industries/pesticides/advisory-groups/Resistance-Action-Groups/wrag
MINUTES OF WRAG STEERING GROUP MEETING
Wednesday 27 November 2013 at Rothamsted
Members present (9+1): James Clarke (Chairman), Stephen Moss (Secretary), Ingrid den Hoed (CRD), Mark Ballingall (SAC), Paul Neve (University of Warwick), Gordon Anderson-Taylor (Bayer), Iain Ford (BASF), Eileen Patterson (Dow), Jason Tatnell (Syngenta). Plus Lynn Tatnell (ADAS) by invitation.
1. Apologies for absence. Steve Cranwell (DuPont), Clare Bend (Agrii), Anne Thompson (Eileen Patterson substituting).
2. The minutes of the last Steering Group meeting (15 March 2012) were approved.
These can be viewed on the WRAG website. Actions: A leaflet on ‘The benefits of herbicide resistance testing’ was produced in summer 2012 by Stephen Moss, Lynn Tatnell and Gordon Anderson-Taylor on behalf of WRAG and publicised widely. Both hard copy and electronic versions were produced – the latter is available on the WRAG website. Other matters arising are covered in this Steering Group Meeting.
3. CRD regulatory update (Ingrid den Hoed).
Ingrid den Hoed drew attention to the: zonal harmonisation: non-formal consultation on proposals for authorising use of low-drift nozzles with horizontal boom sprayers. See:
http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/Resources/CRD/Migrated-Resources/Documents/C/Consultation_paper-low_drift_nozzles_10_Sep_13.pdf
She also drew attention to the non-formal consultation on proposals for comparative assessment and substitution linked to EU regulation 1107/2009 (concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market). See:
http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/guidance/industries/pesticides/News/Collected-Updates/Reg-Updates-2013/October/Non-formal-Consultation-on-Proposals-for-Comparative-Assessment-and-Substitution
In addition, EPPO are reviewing the document on resistance risk produced by Ingrid on behalf of CRD, which incorporate a resistance risk matrix and information on baseline monitoring. These have been discussed within WRAG previously. This is expected to be discussed at the next EPPO meeting in spring 2014.
Within the EU, there is an on-going discussion about endocrine disruptors in relation to pesticide approvals and ADAS contributed to a review on the potential impact of loss of pesticides which could result as a consequence of new legislation.
4. WRAG website – progress with updating.
CRD are at the point of updating all four RAG websites with aim of getting a consistent format within the HSE web structure. Initially IRAG website will be updated.
ACTION: Ingrid den Hoed to notify Stephen Moss of progress in relation to supply of content for WRAG website.
ACTION: Stephen Moss to recirculate draft content previously collated, to steering group members for comment/update.
5. Brief update on research programmes and future plans
Lynn Tatnell described the project on resistance in broad-leaved weeds, focussing on poppy. This is funded by HGCA, DuPont, Dow and BASF. The project involves two field trials and associated container experiments with the main aim of looking at how best to prevent, and manage, resistance throughout an arable crop rotation. A second project, funded by CRD, focuses on modelling BLW resistance.
Paul Neve explained that he was moving to Rothamsted in January 2014 to work primarily on herbicide resistance and related weed projects. He gave an overview of the PhD and post-doc projects currently in progress at University of Warwick, mainly linked to the evolution and dynamics of selection for herbicide resistance in weeds. He described the new four-year collaborative LOLA project (2014 – 2018), funded by BBSRC and HGCA (£2.7 million) and led by Professor Edwards (University of York) with co-investigators Dr Neve (Rothamsted), Prof. Freckleton and Dr Childs (University of Sheffield), Prof. Norris (University of Reading) and Dr Hadfield (University of Oxford). This has five work-packages: 1. Defining the molecular mechanisms underpinning the evolution of multiple herbicide resistance (MHR) in black-grass; 2. Black-grass population monitoring and resistance audit; 3. Determine the genetic architecture and inheritance of MHR; 4. Eco-evolutionary modelling of black-grass populations; 5. Wider impacts of resistance and its management. He was in the process of recruiting four new positions at Rothamsted, all related to herbicide resistance projects.
Stephen Moss described the on-going CRD funded resistance project which focuses on effects of dose on rate of selection for resistance to mesosulfuron+iodosulfuron and flufenacet in black-grass. Material from selection experiments is currently under evaluation, but there is clearly a very big difference between the two herbicides in the rate of selection for resistance by non-target site mechanisms. The current project finishes in March 2014 but it is hoped that a 1-year extension will be supported – one of the primary aims would be to establish whether the rapidly selected enhanced metabolic resistance to mesosulfuron+iodosulfuron confers cross-resistance to other modes of action, such as flufenacet. In addition, partial resistance to glyphosate in sterile brome has been studied and confirmed in a series of experiments under controlled conditions.
It was suggested that a WRAG meeting focused on risks of glyphosate resistance in the UK more generally should be held in spring 2014 and include representation from other companies with an interest in glyphosate. Such a meeting should also cover other relevant resistance issues, such as resistance to pre-emergence herbicides in black-grass. A key focus would be to highlight and clarify communication needs.
ACTION: All Steering Group Members to suggest possible dates and venue for a meeting in spring 2014.
6. Resistance tests and interest in summer 2013
Lynn Tatnell gave a summary of resistance test results obtained so far on 150 black-grass samples collected as part of a BASF sponsored initiative and 74 commercial samples. These have been, or are in the process of being tested. For the 150 samples tested on behalf of BASF: 66% of samples showed enhanced metabolic resistance, based on petri-dish assays with pendimethalin; 85% of samples showed target site resistance to ACCase inhibitors, based on petri-dish tests with cycloxydim; 73% of samples showed resistance to ALS inhibitors, based on a pot test with mesosulfuron+iodosulfuron. 53% of samples tested showed all three types of resistance. Only 3% of all samples were S or R? It was stressed that samples were not collected at random and were from survivors in the field, hence exaggerate the field resistance level. However the results do highlight the frequency of multiple forms of resistance. It was pointed out that the pot test with mesosulfuron+iodosulfuron detects resistance regardless of mechanism – both ALS target site (197 and 574 mutations) and enhanced metabolism commonly occur. Resistance issues and interpretation of test results were highlighted in BASF’s Agronomy Update, August 2013.
7. Update on other herbicide resistance related initiatives.
It was pointed out that in surveys conducted by several companies, there was often good knowledge about herbicide resistance issues and management strategies. The real problem was effective uptake and practical implementation by farmers.
Mark Ballingall highlighted the need for a better understanding of herbicide resistant weeds in Scotland, especially chickweed.
Stephen Moss noted that the paper ‘A review of the effects of crop agronomy on the management of Alopecurus myosuroides’ by Lutman, Moss, Cook & Welham had recently been published in Weed Research 53: 299-313. This is a comprehensive review of non-chemical control methods. A 4-page leaflet based on this publication (‘Black-grass: the potential of non-chemical control’) aimed at farmers and agronomist was also produced in 2013 and 14,500 copies distributed in CPM magazine. His black-grass leaflet has also been updated. Electronic versions of both leaflets were produced and is available on the WRAG website.
Paul Neve is in process of organising an EWRS Herbicide Resistance Working Group Meeting in Frankfurt on 19 – 21 May 2014.
8. Discuss possible 25th anniversary of WRAG open meeting 2014.
The first meeting of the WRAG Steering Committee was held at DuPont, Stevenage on 7 September 1989 and an inaugural open meeting on 14 September 1989 in the Chemistry Lecture Theatre, Bristol University. The success of WRAG led to the subsequent formation of the other RAGs so, in this respect, WRAG can be considered the ‘mother of all RAGs’. Hence, WRAG will be 25 years old in September 2014. It has been proposed that a 25th anniversary open meeting be held in autumn 2014 at Rothamsted. It was suggested that such a meeting could be linked to the BCPC Weeds Review or even AAB Crop Protection in Southern Britain (25/26 November), but there was general support for a standalone meeting.
ACTION: Stephen Moss to check on room availability at Rothamsted, as a new conference complex will be in the process of erection at that time.
RESULT: The old library is being converted into a conference room which can hold at least 100 people. Days when it is not available are: 15, 23, 24, 30 October 2014; 17, 18, 25, 26, 27 November 2014.
ACTION: All steering group members to suggest dates they consider suitable for such a meeting, and highlight any potential clashes with other meetings elsewhere.
9. WRAG membership – steering committee representation
To be discussed at next Steering Group Meeting.
10. A.O.B. None.
Date of next Steering Group Meeting.
To be agreed.
The committee thanked Rothamsted for providing facilities and lunch for this WRAG Steering Group Meeting.
Stephen Moss
WRAG Secretary 18 December 2013
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