Follow LERAP scheme or risk losing key products
Follow LERAP scheme or risk losing key products
Issues surrounding spray applications were a key theme
at the annual meeting of the Association of Independent
Crop Consultants in Cambridge. Charles Abel reports
UNLESS farmers use LERAPs properly to reduce spray buffer zones or observe standard buffer zones rigorously pesticide approvals could be withdrawn from a host of popular products.
That was the warning delivered to conference delegates by two speakers from the Pesticides Safety Directorate.
"If the Department for the Environment, Transport and Regions thinks the LERAP scheme is not working they will revisit the scheme and could change the policy and could even revoke pesticide approvals, which would be a bad thing, restricting pesticide options still further," Guy Pitchon told AICC members.
A pilot study to monitor the success of the scheme has already started. "We do regular monitoring of water courses, so it will be clear whether the policy is working," he said.
Farmers could complete records but fail to carry out LERAP measures in the field, Mr Pitchon acknowledged. Given the low level of HSE inspection they could even get away with not keeping records, provided nothing went wrong. But if problems were detected in water courses product approvals could be withdrawn altogether, he said.
The rules had been made as practical as possible and some areas could be simplified further this year, Mr Pitchon said. But suppliers of spraying equipment had so far been slow coming forward with satisfactory data to support applications for the star ratings that allow buffer zones to be reduced under the LERAP scheme, he said.
"So far there are a few three-star nozzles available, at least seven in evaluation which are expected to be approved for the coming season and we know data is being prepared for others. But many applications do not have the accompanying evidence to support the claims that have been made for them," he said. LERAP star ratings could establish the truth of some claims, he suggested.
"In the longer term we hope the LERAP scheme will lead to an increase in low drift technology."
He stressed the potential to use three-star nozzles or reduced rates to reduce buffer zones. Provided those are used across a 12m headland, nozzle choice and rate could then revert to normal for the rest of the field.
"There may be efficacy issues where changes are made, but that is something for the farmer to decide," he said.
Alternatively standard buffer zones could be used for all Category A and B products across the whole farm, with an alternative mix on headlands.
To ease paperwork he urged growers to use the pro-forma record sheets included in the PSDs LERAP website. The site also includes a useful interactive model for calculating LERAPs. *
LERAPS
• Adhere to scheme or lose products.
• Monitoring under way.
• Use three-star nozzles or rate reductions to cut buffer zones.
• Some simplifications coming.
• BFS Bubblejet 03, 04, 05 and Lechler ID 120-03, 04 nozzles three-star rated.
• Check details on PSD website: www.maff.gov.uk/aboutmaff/ agency/psd/psdhome.htm