SLIMERS: A focus on sustainable solutions to slug management

Strategies Leading to Improved Management & Enhanced Resilience to Slugs –

Slugs are one of arable farming’s biggest pests estimated to cause about £43.5m worth of damage to UK wheat and oilseed rape crops every year. Since the ban on metaldehyde, ferric phosphate pellets are the only form of chemical control for slugs. Protecting the longevity of this will require both a holistic and precision approach to slug management. 

SLIMERS is a £2.6m farmer-led research programme set to change the way slugs are monitored and treated, in a bid to drive sustainable solutions for slug management. It is funded by the Small R&D Partnership Projects, part of Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme which is delivered by Innovate UK. Project number 10053286.

The Slug Circle is the farmer-led community for the SLIMERS Project. It’s free for all to join and offers all those with an interest, the opportunity to exchange valuable knowledge – click here to join now.

As part of this project, we also have opportunities for Citizen Scientists to get involved as Slug Scouts. You can find out more here or register by clicking here.