Neem oil -- banned in the UK. Are their studies valid?

[Baitball Blogger]

I have been using Neem oil in the garden and now I'm reading that it's banned in the U.K. because it's a threat to pregnancy. Does anyone have information on this subject?

Why is Neem oil banned in UK?
Neem oil exposure may cause abortion or lead to infertility, and it may cause liver damage in children. Pesticides containing neem oil (Azadirachtin) are banned in the UK.Sep 9, 2016

[Kali]

1. organic/natural does NOT equal safe

science, it's not just for nerds

[Ptah]

2. Toxicity

Toxicity

The ingestion of neem oil is potentially toxic and can cause metabolic acidosis, seizures, kidney failure, encephalopathy and severe brain ischemia in infants and young children . Neem oil should not be consumed alone without any other solutions, particularly by pregnant women, women trying to conceive, or children. It can also be associated with allergic contact dermatitis.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neem_oil#Toxicity

[Backseat Driver]

3. I just want to poison/smother the scale bugs that are sucking the juice out of my magnolias

I'm not likely to consume the oil or eat magnolia leaves and stems and long past a pregnancy, so maybe? So is it an effective and safe bug asphixicant? It's coming up on those suckers "crawler" stage - now just to order up a gallon or so and get the timing correct. Any idea what would work better?

[Ponietz]

6. Have you tried insecticidal soap?

Last edited Wed Jul 1, 2020, 06:49 PM - Edit history (1)

1/4 cup vegetable oil
Teaspoon dish soap
4 cups water

A hand sprayer works 👍🏼

[mahina]

10. Thanks for the recipe. What pests does this work for

In your garden?

Thank you !

[yellowcanine]

7. Horticultural oil works on scale insects in the crawler stage.

It is safer than any pesticide, "natural" or otherwise.

[Major Nikon]

8. Horticultural oils aren't always neem

Many contain harmless oils that work by coating the insect and smothering it.

[Phoenix61]

4. I don't think it is banned commercially

https://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/pesticides/eu-pesticides-database/public/?event=activesubstance.detail&language=EN&selectedID=976

Oops, E.U. UK... I’d say agribusiness got to them.

[WePurrsevere]

5. Maybe this site will help a bit...

http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/neemgen.html

[Backseat Driver]

9. Oh thanx - missed that one! I'll definitely read up!