Posted: October 5th, 2009 - 11:49pm
Source: Farmers Weekly Interactive

Advanced spray notification will be one of the key discussion points as implementing controversial new European pesticides legislation begins.
Despite overturning Georgina Downs' original high court ruling that DEFRA had failed in its obligations to protect rural residents, ministers have made it clear that spray notification needs to be part of the consultation on implementing the new directive on using pesticides, Dave Bench of the Chemicals Regulation Directorate told Crops.
The new sustainable use directive was adopted last week, along with more controversial measures on the authorisation of pesticides, by EU ministers, which together are designed to further improve safety to human health and the environment from pesticides.
Most of the measures in the directive concerning the use of pesticides, such as sprayer testing and training of operators were already being carried out on most arable farms, Mr Bench said.
"But we need to make sure that the requirements of the directive are covered by what we already do. Where it is covered and we are content with the standard being achieved there shouldn't be any problems – we don't want to create unnecessary bureaucracy."
There is, however, provision in the new directive for possibly including advance warning of spraying to residents and bystanders, and it is something in the light of the Downs case, ministers feel should be consulted on.