Crop Spraying
Enforcement and Investigation
Local authorities and several other bodies have roles in
investigating incidents and carrying out enforcement for the
Control of Pesticides Regulations (COPR) and the Biocidal Products
Regulations (BPR).
Exactly which body enforces in a particular situation can seem
complicated, but broadly speaking local authority trading standards
officers enforce the advertisement and sale of pesticides and
biocides, while the use of products is usually enforced by either
HSE (Health and Safety Executive), Environment Agency or local
authority Environmental Health Officers, depending where the
product has been used.
For further advice on who to contact in which situaion please
refer to HSE at www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/enforcement.htm
Health Affects
If you think your health has been affected by a
pesticide/biocide, seek medical advice – go to your doctor, or in
more serious cases, go to hospital. If your pet/livestock has been
affected, seek veterinary advice.
Users of Pesticides
If you use pesticides on your farm or holding then this will
apply to you.
Pesticides include fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, and
plant growth regulators.
The 'Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Pesticides on Farms
and Holdings' (the Green Code) is published by DEFRA. It aims to
provide practical advice on how to meet the requirements of the
Food and Environmental Protection Act 1985. You can download a copy
of the Green Code using this. Green
Code link.
Special provisions apply where aerial application is to be used.
You must give prior notification to several different authorities
and organisations and keep details of the application for at least
3 years. You can read more about the requirements for aerial
spraying in the Green Code.
For certain pesticides, which are applied via a ground crop
sprayer or a broadcast air-assisted sprayer there is a legal
obligation to carry out and record the results of a Local
Environmental Risk Assessment for Pesticides (LERAP). You can see
detailed guidance on when a LERAP is required and how to carry one
out by using this LERAP
link. Even if you maintain the 5 metre buffer strip you will still
need to record that you have done this.
Contact Customer Services
Telephone: 01304 872428
E-mail: customerservices@dover.gov.uk
