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Used correctly, pesticides do not pose any more of a threat than many other modern inventions. Used
incorrectly or thoughtlessly then problems may occur.
As commercial users of pesticides, the following points should be observed as guidelines on the safe use of
pesticides.
People living close to the intended area of pesticide operation should be advised so that they can take
necessary action to prevent pets and livestock from straying into treated areas.
Where there are risks to grazing animals, the period over which they must be kept away from the treated area,
as indicated on the product label, should be observed.
Do not spray hedge bottoms.
Do not spray pesticides near ditches, rivers, lakes or other watercourses.
Never empty tank or spray container washing’s, surplus diluted tank contents or concentrated product into
any waterway or drained area.
Never dispose of empty containers in ponds or other watercourses.
Do not fill spray tanks from watercourses without a suction fill non-return valve, which will prevent siphoning
back of pesticide into the watercourse.
Select products that are specific to the pest or weed to be controlled.
Consider not treating boom width or part of boom width closest to boundary.
SPRAY DRIFT is the most common culprit in reported incidents of pesticides misuse. Drift is related to:
Spray quality
Wind velocity at spray nozzle height
Boom height
Stability of local atmospheric conditions
The following actions should be observed:
Listen to the weather forecast particularly wind speed and direction. The Met Office gives this as 'force'
measured at 10m from the ground. Wind speed at boom height, the critical drift figure, will be roughly half this.
The safest conditions in which to spray is a steady force 2 light breeze blowing away from susceptible crops,
open water or neighbours land.
Keep spray boom as low as possible, consistent with an even spray pattern.
Match spray quality to conditions - small drops are more likely to be caught by the wind.
If conditions are unsuitable or unpredictable, do not spray.
The Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 stipulates that users shall take all reasonable precautions to
protect the health of human beings, creatures and plants, to safeguard the environment and, in particular, to
avoid pollution to water.
PESTICIDE SPRAYING & THE ENVIRONMENT
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