PESTICIDE USE: Training & Certification
The Pesticide Safety Directive offers advice on training, certification and granddad rights
employment (for example a product approved for use in a professional capacity) not to use that pesticide or give instruction to others on use unless they have received adequate instruction, training and guidance in their correct use.
The requirement for anyone to be trained applies irrespective of:
• whether or not they receive payment for using a product in a professional situation; or
• if they were born after 31 December 1964; or
• if they are using a product that does not sit within the definition of an 'agricultural pesticide'.
OVER the last couple of years there has been an ongoing debate - recently crystallised on the
Pitchcare.com website - about the use of pesticides, particularly in relation to training and/or certification and the sale of products to untrained users. In response to this, the
Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) has provided the following advice which seeks to clarify some of these issues. To use pesticide products, in addition to the requirement on employers to ensure that their employees are properly trained to use pesticides, there are two elements to the training and certification obligations placed on individuals. Users of pesticides must hold a
Certificate of Competence to use a product that falls within the definition of an agricultural pesticide if they:
• were born after 31 December 1964; or
• provide a commercial service, for example contractors or anyone spraying on crops/land that is not owned, occupied or rented by them or their employer.
Anyone who does not hold a
Certificate of Competence, but is legally required to hold one, can only use an agricultural pesticide if they are supervised by someone who does hold such a certificate. However, there is the overriding requirement for anyone who uses any pesticide product in the course of their business or
This is not meant to underrate older or experienced users but points up the importance of all those who use pesticides being trained to do the job competently and safely. Age and experience by themselves do not prove that the person in question has received the appropriate training. Amateurs must only use
amateur (home garden) products. Professional products should never be used by the untrained amateur. However, that is not to say that someone with the right training cannot use a professional product in the home, garden or allotment provided the intended use is stipulated on the label and the label instructions are followed.
The sale of pesticides
At present there is no legislation requiring the sale of professional products to be restricted to trained users. However, PSD is aware that many suppliers, in the interest of best practice, will make their own checks to ensure that persons purchasing product are correctly trained. Sellers are not obliged to supply pesticides to any individual and can, if they wish, refuse sale if they have any concerns whatsoever about the products’ intended use. Finally, it should be noted that
the proposed Sustainable Use Directive includes proposals which could potentially change the current training regime and restrict the sale of professional pesticides to those who have been formally trained.
3
Organised by BIGGA
Harrogate Week 2009
For the Turf Management and Groundscare Professional
,
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140