| 1. |
Planning: Know where the water is on your farm and where it drains to; |
| 2. |
Consider whether using a pesticide is necessary in the first place; |
| 3. |
Talk to your agronomist about the products you use,their risk to water and how to keep them out of water; |
| 4. |
Clean up any spills or splashes immediately; |
| 5. |
Pick your filling site with care – 40% of water contamination by pesticides is caused by run-off from farm yards; |
| 6. |
Maintain your sprayer properly; stop leaks and drips; |
| 7. |
When spraying, keep well away from watercourses, use a bufferstrip and prevent drift; |
| 8. |
Clean everything carefully afterwards and dispose of wastes safely and legally. |
| 1. |
Know your farm’s potential for pest attack; field records are essential in this Assess the implications of cropping sequences and likely attacks; |
| 2. |
Where possible, take full advantage of varietal resistance; |
| 3. |
Use cultivation techniques and sowing dates to deter attack; |
| 4. |
Use seed treatments where available if significant damage is expected; |
| 5. |
Monitor crops regularly and base management decisions on the results; |
| 6. |
Make absolutely sure a treatment is really needed; treat only when pest thresholds has been exceeded; |
| 7. |
Wherever possible, use insecticides specific to a target pest. Try especially to avoid using broad-spectrum products when the young of birds are dependent on insects for food; |
| 8. |
Apply treatments as accurately and as close to ideal timings as possible; |
| 9. |
Use buffer zones and LERAPs to protect sensitive wildlife habitats and water courses |
| 1. |
Know your farm and plan the job
Know key features Water, drains, conservation features, field sizes, footpaths, neighbouring crops and houses
Plan for disposal and clean up Plan how to deal with a spill occurs…have cat litter ready in the store and near the filling area...
Understand the local impacts Spraying and the weather…Environmental risks to water and wildlife,Mud on the roads...
|
| 2. |
Look after the sprayer
Check for leaks, drips and general condition.
Get it tested. Use the National Sprayer Testing Scheme.
Check nozzle flow rate No more than 10% different from the original; Keep a new nozzle to compare performance.
|
| 3. |
Review sprayer filling operations…
Even one drip can cause a lot of damage. Avoid splashes and spills. Put foil seals in a leak proof container.
Get advice on the best place to fill
|
| 4. |
Avoid Drift …
Use low drift nozzles
Make more use of air-induction nozzles as an alternative to flat- fans except when spraying small targets with contact acting products or when good coverage is required
|
| 5. |
Understand LERAPs...
Over spraying or drift into water courses will damage wildlife
When required follow: advice sheet and LERAP assessment, for each application keep a record.
To comply: use low drift nozzles with a 1m buffer strip or a 5m buffer strip
|
| 6. |
Disposal and Storage
Clean the sprayer after use Clean as much as possible in the field or in EA/SEPA designated area; clean outside of booms and back of spray tank.
Store under cover.
Clean and burn cans and coveralls.
Store items awaiting disposal undercover
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| 7. |
Be Professional
Keep up to date with the latest information and techniques
Take refresher training and advice.
Join the National Register of Spray Operators.
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