Farm inspections and water testing are to be increased as the Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency clamp down on misuse of the commonly-used pesticide MCPA.
As reported in the Irish Farmers Journal, the Department of Agriculture has issued 2,254 letters to farmers in areas where MCPA has been found in drinking water supplies.
The letters warn that the Department is monitoring residue levels in watercourses in their areas and if the situation doesn’t improve, further action will be taken.
The letters were issued by the Pesticide Controls Division (PCD) and reminds farmers of their responsibilities when using and storing the chemical.
They warn that they may be visited by officials from the PCD to establish compliance with existing rules.
What will be inspected?
In the event of an inspection, the officer will check the following:
That the farmer's sprayer is tested and calibrated.That the person applying sprays on the holding has been appropriately trained and is registered with the DAFM as a professional user (evidence will be required of the training qualification/certification claimed).That the farmers is maintaining accurate and up to date records of all sprays being applied on the holding.Farmers are reminded of the potential financial penalty that may be incurred from failure to comply with existing pesticide legislation.
Monitoring
The letter proceeds to explain that the Department is monitoring residue levels in watercourses in the targeted areas and if the situation doesn’t improve further action will be taken.
This could potentially involve further restrictions on the use of MCPA-based products (expanding buffer zones) or the prohibition on the purchase and use of MCPA products.
Purchaser information
Under regulation 16 of SI 159/2012 and Article 67 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, all records relating to pesticides must be maintained by producers, importers, suppliers, and distributors. These came into effect on 1 January 2014. Merchants are legally obliged to maintain the following records of any customer of pesticides (both plant protection products and biocides):
The name and address of each individual purchasing plant protection products or the waste disposal company.The herd number/flock number or professional user number of the purchaser (when available).The name of the product(s).The pack size(s).The volume(s) supplied.The date purchased or disposed of.All of the above information is required to be maintained for a period of five years from the date of invoice creation, and must be made available to an authorised officer of the Department on request.
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Farm inspections and water testing are to be increased as the Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency clamp down on misuse of the commonly-used pesticide MCPA.
As reported in the Irish Farmers Journal, the Department of Agriculture has issued 2,254 letters to farmers in areas where MCPA has been found in drinking water supplies.
The letters warn that the Department is monitoring residue levels in watercourses in their areas and if the situation doesn’t improve, further action will be taken.
The letters were issued by the Pesticide Controls Division (PCD) and reminds farmers of their responsibilities when using and storing the chemical.
They warn that they may be visited by officials from the PCD to establish compliance with existing rules.
What will be inspected?
In the event of an inspection, the officer will check the following:
That the farmer's sprayer is tested and calibrated.That the person applying sprays on the holding has been appropriately trained and is registered with the DAFM as a professional user (evidence will be required of the training qualification/certification claimed).That the farmers is maintaining accurate and up to date records of all sprays being applied on the holding.Farmers are reminded of the potential financial penalty that may be incurred from failure to comply with existing pesticide legislation.
Monitoring
The letter proceeds to explain that the Department is monitoring residue levels in watercourses in the targeted areas and if the situation doesn’t improve further action will be taken.
This could potentially involve further restrictions on the use of MCPA-based products (expanding buffer zones) or the prohibition on the purchase and use of MCPA products.
Purchaser information
Under regulation 16 of SI 159/2012 and Article 67 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, all records relating to pesticides must be maintained by producers, importers, suppliers, and distributors. These came into effect on 1 January 2014. Merchants are legally obliged to maintain the following records of any customer of pesticides (both plant protection products and biocides):
The name and address of each individual purchasing plant protection products or the waste disposal company.The herd number/flock number or professional user number of the purchaser (when available).The name of the product(s).The pack size(s).The volume(s) supplied.The date purchased or disposed of.All of the above information is required to be maintained for a period of five years from the date of invoice creation, and must be made available to an authorised officer of the Department on request.
Read more
Completing your chemical application records and inventory
Two key actives under threat for potato sector
EU to review pesticide authorisation process
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