Environment award

BARRIER BIOTECH LTD

Major Commendation under the

Business Commitment for the Environment Awards 2002 by Margaret Beckett MP. Their development of 'Barrier H' as an Agricultural Herbicide to control ragwort caught the imagination of the Business Environment Awards panel.

Its active ingredient is Citronella Oil. This is derived from plants harvested from sustainable crops in third world countries - and represents an entirely novel approach to the production of herbicides. Barrier Biotech is a small company based in Attleborough, Norfolk and has gone through the entire process of product development - including design and formulation, efficacy trials, manufacture, market authorisation from the Pesticides Safety Directorate (MAPP 10136) and subsequent marketing. Nigel Back, managing director, said "We are thrilled to receive the recognition for both our innovative approach and our concern for the environment that this award represents".

Ragwort is a significant rural problem. It causes irreversible liver damage resulting in a very painful death for affected animals. Barrier Biotech, which has been using natural materials to make animal healthcare products for over a decade, recognised that conventional ragwort treatment by chemicals not only affected surrounding plant life but also meant animals had to be excluded from the treated field for up to two months. With 'Barrier H' the ragwort can die within 48 hours and generally disappears within a couple of weeks. Spot treatment ensures that only ragwort is targeted. It provides an extremely low risk to the environment and has proved effective in SSSIs, roadside verges and other amenity areas such as golf courses, parks and sports fields.

For further enquiries please contact sales on +44 (0) 1902 824392.