Growers are being reminded to get their slug pellet applicators tested before the November deadline.

Under the Sustainable Use Directive, all pesticide application must have been tested under the National Sprayer Testing Scheme (NSTS).

Duncan Russell of the NSTS explained at this year’s Cereals that the protocol was put together by the organisation after consulting farmers and came up with a standard for testing companies.

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“So why test? It ensures accuracy of application and not only testing the spread pattern, but also the width to inform operators the furthest pellet is thrown to avoid landing in any margins or watercourses,” says Mr Russell.

Failure to test also breaches cross-compliance rules, which means farmers face losing some of their subsidy and could face prosecution if assurance standards are not met.

NSTS recommends annual testing, which costs £80-£120.

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