End of Grandfather Rights

It should be remembered that ‘Grandfather Rights’ for pesticides will end on the 25^th November.  The current rules allow people born before 31^st December 1964 to use an agricultural product on their own or their employer’s land without a Certificate of Competence.  From 26^th November 2015, everyone using a professional pesticide product, must hold a specified certificate e.g. PA2 and PA6.

A further change in the rules will occur next year.  From 26^th November 2016, regular testing of spray equipment will be a requirement once the item is 5 years old.  The following types of equipment must be inspected at least once by 26^th November 2016.  Subsequent testing will be required every 5 years from 26^th November 2016 and every 3 years from 26^th November 2020:

• boom sprayers greater than 3 metres;
• sprayers attached to trains or aircraft; and
• air-assisted broadcast sprayers.

Equipment that represents a low scale of use, such as granular applicators and boom sprayers less than 3 metres wide, will be subject to an inspection interval of no more than 6 years. Tests must be carried out under the National Sprayer Testing Scheme- http://www.nsts.org.uk