Pesticides, the Law and the Environment

Dear

It's May, Spring is here and so are the weeds and pests. So this month we've decided to send out a reminder about Pesticide use. Undoubtedly an essential part of Agricultural life, pesticide use is potentially hazardous and requires training to avoid environmental damage. Also, it is important to remember that legislation is always changing with new EU directives constantly being issued. This means that even if you have been trained you may need a refresher. Contact me if you would like to find out any more details.

If you know anyone who would find this newsletter useful please forward it on to them.

Best Wishes

James

Pesticides, the Law and the Environment

To minimise the environmental impact from the use of pesticides, the Government has issued a range of statutory and voluntary controls published as the UK Pesticides Strategy. You can find out all the information you need about this, Health & Safety directives and legal guidelines at http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/ . The Chemical Regulation Directorate stipulates that anyone using pesticides should have training as, not only are these chemicals potentially hazardous to the user, incorrect application can result in significant damage to the environment and wildlife. However, as we all know, pesticides have many benefits including ensuring healthy crop growth, clean urban environments, and controlling invasive species. So you need to ensure that you stay ahead of the ever changing guidelines and up to date with your practice. By doing this you will guarantee that your crops grow abundantly, healthily and cause minimal damage to the surrounding flora, fauna and folk.

At the Rural Skills Centre all our Pesticide training courses lead to a certificate of competence issued by the National Proficiency Tests Council – so you can rest assured that you are safe to practice after attending our Crops and Pesticide Application Courses.

Our courses cover subjects from the use, storage and disposal of pesticides to hand held spraying and field crop sprayers including regulations, operation, fault finding and operation maintenance.

These are just a few of the many courses we can provide. For more information contact James Foster at the Rural Skills Centre.