Teagasc advice: Only registered professional users can apply sprays

The Sustainable Use Directive requires professional users of pesticides to have completed an approved pesticide course and registered, by the November 26, 2015, deadline.

Failure to comply can result in a €250 penalty or loss of a percentage of farm payments.

Who should register?

Anyone who applies pesticides which are designated as ‘Professional Use’ on the label, irrespective of method of application or quantity applied, must register.

For example, Roundup applied with a knapsack sprayer; or, any product applied to grassland or crops with a sprayer.

A farmer who buys sprays, but gets a contractor who is a registered professional user to apply them on their behalf, does not have to register.

How will the Sustainable Use Directive (SUD) affect farmers?

Farmers must register with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) by November 26, 2015.

Amateur use pesticides (for example, home garden products) are not covered by the Sustainable Use Directive.

How do farmers register?

Go online at http://www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie/sud/sudreg/  for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive Registration Page.

Detailed screenshots to help farmers register are available on the Teagasc and DAFM websites.

What qualifications does a farmer need to register?

A farmer must have completed an approved pesticide course.

See www.teagasc.ie/training/courses/pesticidetraining.asp  for approved courses, and how to query Teagasc education records, to find out if you are already qualfied.

Who can purchase pesticides?

Any herd or flock owner or registered professional user can purchase professional use products.

Only registered professional users can apply professional use products.

Any person can buy and apply amateur use products

What are the sanctions under the Sustainable Use Directive?

The SUD will be inspected as part of cross-compliance.

Breaches may be subject to a penalty of €250, but in future, that may be a percentage of Single Farm Payments.

What else should you know?

Boom sprayers (greater than 3m wide) must be tested by November 26, 2016.

Farmers must keep records of all sprays applied.

What is the thinking behind the SUD?

According to Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney, the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive establishes a framework for European Community action to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides by setting minimum rules to reduce the risks to human health and the environment that are associated with pesticide use.

It also promotes the use of integrated pest management.

The Directive is designed to further enhance the high level of protection achieved through the entire regulatory system for pesticides.

The need for appropriate training must be viewed in the context of protecting both human health (operators, bystanders and consumers) and the environment and, in particular, maintaining the high quality of our water.