DOs Check that the pesticide is approved for the purpose and always follow the instructions on the product label before use. Comply with the Groundwater Regulations 1998 when disposing of waste pesticides and pesticide washings. Consult SEPA if in doubt. Ensure that all staff and contractors involved with pesticides are properly trained and where appropriate have Certificates of Competence. Follow the DEFRA/HSE Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Pesticides on Farms and Holdings. | DON'Ts Apply any pesticide (unless approved for use in or near water) within 5m of the bank of a watercourse unless the LERAP demonstrates this is satisfactory. |
Consult SEPA if you intend to use a pesticide in or near a watercourse. Always consider alternative management strategies. If in doubt about the need to spray take advice from a BASIS qualified adviser. Carry out a "Local Environmental Risk Assessment for Pesticides" (LERAP) for "Category B" pesticide products with a buffer zone requirement IF it is applied by a horizontal boom or broadcast air-assisted sprayer AND IF you want to reduce the aquatic buffer zone. Contact the Pesticides Safety Directorate for further advice on this. Prepare a Crop Protection Management Plan for your farm. Guidance will shortly be available from NFU Scotland and the Crop Protection Association (CPA) under "The Voluntary Initiative" on how to do so. Prevent drips, spillages and leaks when filling and mixing pesticides as the active ingredient can run-off into farm drains, surface and ground waters causing a significant pollution hazard. Keep appropriate records of pesticide use e.g. spraying, Local Environ-mental Risk Assessment Procedures (LERAPs). Minimise the volumes of waste pesticide produced. Have a contingency plan in case of accidental spillage. Carry out a COSHH assessment. If in doubt seek professional advice. Consider using a biobed to minimise the risk of pollution of watercourses from pesticide handling activities. A design manual for such areas is expected to be made available in early 2003 and will be publicised by the CPA under "The Voluntary Initiative". Investigate the possibility of manufacturers and suppliers offering a recovery service for used containers. | Handle pesticides without proper protective clothing. Fill sprayers directly from burns, watercourses, ditches or a mains supply. Spray if too windy i.e. avoid spray drift. Permit spray or spray drift to endanger sensitive habitats. Leave foil seals or caps or empty chemical containers lying around as these will all increase the risk of pollution of local watercourses. Neglect routine maintenance and calibration of spray equipment. Spray crops unless the weather conditions are right. Spray crops without selecting the nozzle system to suit the product(s) being applied, the crop and spray volume. Use advice on the product label, Home Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA) chart, Crop Protection Association (CPA) leaflets and British Crop Protection Council (BCPC) Handbooks. Store more pesticide than is required for immediate use. |