The Sustainable Use Directive (SUD) has set minimum standards and deadlines for the safe use of plant protection products (PPP).
The SUD indicates that all working applicator equipment must be maintained, tested and have a NSTS certificate by 26 November 2016.
New machinery has until its 5th anniversary to get certified. These measures are legal requirements and non-compliance may threaten your Single Farm Payments.
In addition most assurance schemes require more regular testing of application machinery.
The Red Tractor Assurance standards are also changing in November this year and require all PPP application equipment to be maintained and NSTS tested annually including slug pellet applicators and granular pesticide applicators.
The Red Tractor requirements also specify that all application equipment must be calibrated to ensure accurate application and records should be kept for two years.
"So why not get ahead of the game and get your applicators tested this summer or autumn?" says Rob Foxall of SCS Spreader & Sprayer Testing Ltd.
"We are the only company in the UK that can test all of the required machines in one farm visit, so we invite farmers to be well prepared for the new legislation and standards and contact us now.
"With the best will in the world, we can’t fit all farms in during the last week of November!" he says.
"We are here to help, but we are also realistic in terms of timelines. Someone has to come forward ahead of the deadline."
SCS have been testing all types of application machinery for over 25 years and have helped both manufacturers and the Metaldehyde Stewardship Group (MSG) understand pellet application to enable best advice for operators.
Application rate calibration and accurate spread pattern testing ensures that pellets of all kinds are used efficiently and effectively.
"Making sure the right amount of pellets is applied accurately reduces costs to the farmer and minimises damage to the environment; hence the requirement for machinery calibration in SUD and the Red Tractor Assurance Scheme."
"Come and see us at Cereals 2016 on Stand number 426 and get booked in!" says Rob Foxall.
SCS are offering a 10% discount for 2-3 machines tested and 20% for more than 4 machines tested.
