Pesticide 'grandfather rights' to be axed
Farmers in the region will soon have to prepare for new pesticide legislation under the Sustainable Use Directive as non-compliance could lead to prosecution or loss of their farm's Single Payment.
Farmers and farm managers using plant protection products such as herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, slug pellets, plant growth regulators, grain store or grain insecticides or soil sterilants will be affected by the new legislation
During 2014, they will have to develop ways to demonstrate that Integrated Pest Management is being practised. In November next year they will lose their pesticide "grandfather rights".
Anyone born before December 31, 1964, was allowed to use professional plant protection products on their own farm or employer's farm without the requirement for a City & Guilds Safe use of Pesticides Certificate. These so-called "grandfather rights" will disappear on November 26 , 2015, meaning farmers currently using the rights will have to either get trained or start using an approved contractor.
To summarise SUDs requirements, from later this year, farmers and land managers need to take three steps:
Demonstrate integrated pest management practices are being followed from 2014. This can be done by completing an IPM plan. Links to a range of plans can be found at www.voluntaryinitiative.org.uk Completing a plan will help you make the most of IPM and shows you are considering different ways of controlling weeds, pests and diseases. The plan may also be useful evidence for farm assurance schemes and cross compliance inspections.
Ensure operators hold a Recognised Certificate from November 26, 2015. Existing certificates eg PA1 + PA2 meet the requirements of the directive. A new grandfather certificate will be available from City & Guilds at www.nptc.org.uk Professional pesticide products must not be purchased or used after November 26, 2015 unless the operator who is applying that product is certificated.
Have application equipment tested by National Sprayer Testing Scheme examiner before November 26 2016. Find an approved examiner at www.nsts.org.uk
Subsequent testing will be required every five years from November 26 2016, and every three years from November 26 2020.
Granule applicators and boom sprayers less than three metres wide need to be tested every six years, while hand-held equipment should be regularly checked against a checklist and a record kept.
* By Kathryn Lewis, Davis Meade property consultants, Oswestry
