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SAC Plant Disease Expert Chairs Action Group on Disease Resistance to Fungicides

SAC News Release Ref. No: 11N19
Published: 11 Feb 2011

Fiona Burnett Chairs FRAG-UK (opens in new window)

SAC plant pathologist Fiona Burnett is the new Chair of FRAG-UK, the Fungicide Resistance Action Group. FRAG-UK highlights issues linked to fungicide resistance and offers practical guidance to growers. UK growers and crop protection specialist have faced the development of fungus diseases resistant to control chemicals almost since the introduction of systemic fungicides 40 years ago. FRAG-UK was established in 1994 to create an independent advisory forum of experienced researchers, specialist and industry representatives.

Resistance issues are of more concern today than ever and Dr Burnett, who manages SAC’s Crop Clinic, intends that FRAG will set up better links with other resistance action groups around the globe.

“Growers attitudes to fungicide resistance have changed over the years, but in a market where the temptation is to put immediate yield and profit above long term stewardship it is still a challenge to promote fungicide resistance strategies,” says Fiona.

“When weeds become resistant to herbicides the problems stay on the farm, so there is a real incentive for individual farmers to prevent herbicide resistance. However diseases blow around in the wind and cover a wide area. Tackling fungicide resistance on that scale requires a lot of farmers to accept the added costs and risks of management programmes. Not easy if some individuals continue to use fungicides in a ‘for profit’ manner”.

SAC carries out a programme of work on fungicide efficacy and resistance, focused around the main crops and pathogens. Of particular concern at the moment are the declines in efficacy of the azoles, a major group of chemicals  used on cereals and oilseed rape. New fungicides have been launched this year, but growers need guidance on how to manage them together with older products for the longer term.

Communication with practitioners is key to the work of FRAG-UK. The aim is to change practices and make recommendations rather than just be a talking shop. As well as providing guidance to growers they liaise with regulators. This is an important issue given the anticipated loss of products under the EU Sustainable Use Directive. Closer to home the Chemical Safety Directorate are also members of FRAG-UK and this allows the group position to be incorporated into statutory product labels in the UK.

Dr Fiona Burnett can be contacted via the details below.

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News Release Contacts

SAC Contact

Dr Fiona Burnett
Team Leader (Applied Practice Team)
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work Crop & Soil Systems Research Group King's Buildings
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4133

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News Release Issued By

Mr Ken Rundle
Senior Communications Officer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, King's Buildings, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4196

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