The Sustainable Use Directive - Sprayer operators with grandfather rights will need to be certificated by 2015
Mandatory certification of spray operators will continue under new pesticide regulations
Existing system of PA Certification for sprayer operators to stay
Existing City & Guilds Certificates of Competence for the Safe Use of Pesticides will remain valid under the new legislation. Anyone who already has a certificate of competence will need to do nothing new.
New operators will be required to attain a Certificate of Competence in the Safe Use of Pesticides.
Sprayer operators with grandfather rights will need to be certificated by 2015
After 26 November 2015, those who previously relied on "grandfather rights" must hold a certificate of competence.
Background
The Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012 will implement Directive 2009/128/EC on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides. The Directive includes a number of provisions aimed at achieving the sustainable use of pesticides by reducing risks and impacts on human health and the environment.
These include:-
The establishment of National Action Plans; compulsory testing of application equipment; provision of training for, and arrangements for the certification of, operators, advisors and distributors; a ban (subject to limited exceptions) on aerial spraying; provisions to protect water, public spaces and conservation areas; the minimisation of risks from handling, storage and disposal; and the promotion of low input regimes (including Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
For further information
A copy of the new regulations, which came into force on 18 July 2012, is available via the following link: http://www.pesticides.gov.uk
Related Information
The new Regulations maintain the UK's existing requirement for those who work with pesticides to hold a certificate. All existing City & Guilds NPTC PA and BASIS certificates will continue to be recognised under the new regulations.
Certain certificates relating to training in the use of vertebrate control products or for food storage purposes will no longer be valid after 26 November 2013. A full list of the recognised certificates is available through http://www.pesticides.gov.uk