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Insecticides – New Best Practice Advice from the VI

Issued on behalf of Voluntary Initiative Scottish Chairman Andrew Moir

The Voluntary Initiative (VI) has produced new insecticide advice, highlighting the four foundations of best practice for farmers and sprayer operators.

It helps those who use insecticides on the following:

  • identification of environmentally sensitive areas on the farm
  • following an integrated approach
  • using pest thresholds as a decision making tool for treatment
  • ensuring treatment is made safely and accurately

Following this advice, alongside the VI’s Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP) or similar tools, will help farmers and sprayer operators minimise the environmental impact of insecticides and contribute to safeguarding the future availability of plant protection products.

To find out more, farmers and sprayer operators are invited to download the VI’s guidance document ‘Insecticides: Best Practice advice for farmers and operators’.  Hard copies will be available from the VI, NRoSO and NSTS stand at Cereals 2015 being held at Boothby Graffoe, Lincolnshire on 10 and 11 June.  Copies will also be available on the NFU Scotland stand at the Highland Show, being held at Ingliston on 18 – 21 June.

VI Scottish Chairman Andrew Moir, who farms at Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire said:
“Whilst insecticides remain essential tools, I would advise farmers and sprayer operators to use them only when absolutely necessary.

“The new VI insecticide guidance gives advice on how to minimise the risks, but it is also important to take advice from an agronomist, as they are dealing with insecticides on a daily basis and have invaluable specialist knowledge.”

Notes to editors

  • The Voluntary Initiative is a programme of measures promoting responsible pesticide use and includes the National Sprayer Testing Scheme, the National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSO) and the Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP).
  • The sponsors of The Voluntary Initiative are the Agricultural Engineers Association, Agricultural Industries Confederation, Country Land and Business Association, Crop Protection Association, National Association of Agricultural Contractors, the NFU, NFU Scotland and the Ulster Farmers Union.
  • The guidance document ‘Insecticides: Best Practice advice for farmers and operators’ can be downloaded from www.voluntaryinitiative.org.uk/en/wildlife/advice.
  • The booklet includes summary information on pest thresholds which is based on the latest advice in AHDB’s “Encyclopaedia of pests and natural enemies in field crops”.
  • Publication of this booklet was part of the VI’s commitment to the National Pollinator Strategy and best practice advice was also discussed as part of the 2014/15 NRoSO Operator Roadshow which reached over 12,500 sprayer operators.
  • For more information, or copies of the guide, please contact Rebecca Wells, Voluntary Initiative Operations Director, 07736 638139, rebecca@voluntaryinitiaitve.org.uk or visit www.voluntaryinitiative.org.uk

Ends

Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006
 

Date Published:

News Article No.: 94/15


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