The free, half-day session offers essential information for professional contractors that will provide them with the latest on best practice when using pesticides.  The workshop, run in conjunction with the Voluntary Initiative, will take place on Thursday 27th June at The Wheel Inn Pub, Westwell, Kent  TN25 4LQ. It is part of a series, the last of which was held in Suffolk on tuesday (18 June).

The workshop programme will cover:

• Efficient use of pesticides - recent changes to pesticide regulations: the impact on your business and your customers’ business; responsible use of pesticides; sprayer testing;

• The role of Agricultural Contractors in delivering the Water Framework Directive;

• An introduction to the Catchment Sensitive Farming initiative - explaining the free training and advice that is available to help improve a contractor’s environmental work practices and environmental credentials;

• Farm walk to see newly installed sprayer wash down facilities and bio-bed.

The workshop is free and includes lunch.  BASIS and NRoSO points are available. To book a place, please email jennifer.bowler@naac.co.uk or call Freephone on 08456 448750.

Jennifer Bowler, Executive Officer for NAAC commented on the workshops' importance, "More farmers and land managers are expecting their contractor to be aware of the various initiatives that relate to their farm such as CSF, NVZ and the implications of the Water Framework Directive. 

"It is now more important than ever that contractors are engaged in these issues and are recognised by the scheme operators for their important role within the farming process.  These half-day events will give professional contractors the ‘need to know’ information so they can continue to provide the very best service to their customers."

Catchment Sensitive Farming is a joint project between the Environment Agency and Natural England, funded by Defra and the Rural Development Programme for England, working in priority catchments within England.