Within the horticultural industry there is a need to stick to strict regulations regarding the use of pesticides and plant protection products. Meeting these needs in a safe manner ensures that you are working to the high standards of legal conditions that have been created to cover their use. When you are working within this industry it is best to work with suppliers that can provide a range of cleaning and disinfection products that meet these legal standards, whilst helping you to maintain a pest and disease free environment. There are a range of DEFRA approved, specialised products, including disinfectants, that can be purchased for this solution.
The Plant Protection Products Regulations were created in order to fully explain how pesticides and plant protection products are to be used in a safe manner. The Code for the regulations (as set out by the Department of the Environment and the Department of Agricultural and Rural Development) allows users to easily follow the processes and to be able to keep within the law. Although you can be prosecuted for not following the Code by a court of law, you can work in a different way regarding plant protection products and pesticides, as long as you can clearly demonstrate that your way of working is just as safe as the code of practice in question.
Working with the code provides you with thorough parameters but to summarise:
Emergency Procedures – You must have in place an emergency action plan that covers any spillages, fire, personal contamination and suspected animal poisoning.
Training – For anyone that supplies, stores or uses plant protection products they must hold a Certificate of Competence.
Planning – Before use you must check and be certain that the product is approved for the intended use and situation and that is presents the least risk to the health of livestock, people and the surrounding environment, compared with other pesticides.
Working with Pesticides – If you are working with pesticides you have to understand the products and have had suitable training. An environmental risk assessment must have been carried out, with measures in place to control potential exposure.
Disposing of Pesticide Waste – If your supplier will take pesticides back you should arrange this, or have an agreement with a waste management company. For both you must ensure that the waste facility is authorised by NIEA.
Record Keeping – Thorough and accurate records must be kept regarding storage of pesticides and plant protection products, treatments, risk assessments, exposure monitoring and disposal records.
If you are working within the horticultural industry and need to maintain a strict environment, free from pests and disease, it is important that you find a supplier of disinfectant and other cleaning products that can help you achieve these goals with a high level of consistency. Not only that but the products you purchase should always be within the legal parameters of the Plant Protection Products Regulations to ensure that legally you are adhering to the standards prescribed.
