Crop Sprayer Testing

Sprayer testing:
What do I have to do?

By 26th November 2016
Ensure that all non-exempt pesticide application equipment in use, including slug pellet and granular applicators have been tested.

By 2020
Ensure all pesticide application equipment with a boom over 3m. air blast sprayers and aerial sprayers has been tested within the last 5 years.

After 2020
Ensure all pesticide application equipment with a boom over 3m, air blast and aerial sprayers are tested every 3 years. Boom sprayers of 3m or less need to be re-tested every six years. along with slug pellet granular and other applicators.

For knapsacks, hand-held and pedestrian controlled machines. en.sure they are checked regularly, against a checklist available at www.voluntaryinitiative.org.uk and www.nsts.org.uk and a record is kept.

Click here to download the NSTS Operator checklist

UK regulation requires that all pesticide application equipment in use is tested by 26th November 2016 .

Equipment to be tested by this date includes:

- All boom sprayers over 3m in width, air blast sprayers. train sprayers and equipment mounted on aircraft.
- Boom sprayers of 3m or less.
- Other forms of pesticide application equipment including, slug pellet applicators, micro-granular applicators, weed wipers, fogging, misting and smoking equipment seed treatment equipment sub-surface liquid applicators and other forms of specialist application equipment.

Equipment then requires further testing at regular intervals.

New equipment has until its fifth anniversary to be tested for the first time.

Knapsacks, hand-held and pedestrian controlled equipment DO NOT need to be formally tested but need to be regularly inspected.

The UK's only recognised testing scheme is the National Sprayer Testing Scheme.

Why does this matter?
A well maintained and regularly tested machine helps to ensure pesticide operations are safe for the operator and environment, ensuring efficient and accurate on target application.

These measures are legal requirements. Non-compliance could lead to prosecution and threaten your farm assurance status
and single farm payment. NB. Many farm assurance schemes require annual testing.

Why do you have to do this?
All EU countries are implementing the Sustainable Use Directive (SUD). The Directive sets minimum standards for the safe use of professional plant protection products (pesticides). Due to existing VI schemes: the National Sprayer Testing Scheme (NSTS), Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plans and National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSO), many farmers and growers are meeting most of the requirements of the Directive. However, those not currently having all their sprayers, granular applicators, slug pelleters and other pesticide application equipment in use tested or checked, will now need to do so.

What equipment is exempt from testing?
Knapsacks, hand held and pedestrian controlled machines do not require a formal test however, they should be checked on a regular basis, against a checklist with a record kept.

Prices -

We have structured our pricing so that there is fairness and no misunderstanding.

For example –

A good condition 400ltr mounted 6m sprayer will be cheaper to test than a 1000ltr mounted 12m that requires work to NSTS requirements.

Price structure –

NSTS test carried out on our sprayer on any site in the UK, to include certification, registration, all administration £126 + VAT
Travelling to and from site £0.60p + VAT per mile
Labour £40 + VAT per hour
Any parts required charged at time of sale.

For example –

A 600ltr, 10m mounted sprayer in relatively good condition, 50miles from base =

NSTS Test	126
Travelling time 2 hrs	60
Labour 2 hrs	80
Total	£266 + VAT

 

Contact

Contact : John Rhys Owen
Address: JR Owen Crop Sprayer/Tester, Bryn Teg Llanwnda Caernarfon Gwynedd, LL54 5TG
Email: jrowencropsprayers@gmail.com
Telephone: 07717 496705