Farmers and crop sprayer operators must be aware of new pesticide regulations, according to farm business consultancy firm Strutt & Parker.

Changes to UK pesticide legislation are being implemented as a result of a new European Union directive known as the Sustainable Use Regulations. The changes are designed to reduce the impact that pesticides can have on human health and the environment even further.

The regulations will effectively remove “grandfather rights” for sprayer operators and introduce compulsory testing for crop sprayers.

Simon Butcher, farming consultant in Strutt & Parker’s Salisbury office, said: “Key changes are coming into play and farmers need to know about them.

“Under the present framework crop sprayer operators who use pesticides on either their own land or their employer’s land can do so without holding a recognised certificate of competence, provided they were born before December 31, 1964. This is commonly known as ‘grandfather rights’. However, this exemption will be removed on November 26, 2015. It is not yet clear if certificates will be issued to these operators based on their experience and skills gained over their many years of work or whether they will be required to complete a full training and assessment programme.

“Currently, crop spraying equipment used on farm assured holdings is already tested annually through the National Sprayer Testing Scheme.

However, regular testing will soon become mandatory for those not part of an assurance scheme.

“All crop sprayers will need to be tested before November 26, 2016 and thereafter at regular intervals – initially once every five years and then once every three years after 2020. Knapsack and hand held sprayers are exempt from these requirements.”

Anyone requiring more information or advice should contact Mr Butcher in Strutt & Parker’s Salisbury office on 01722 344022.