SUD set to affect every UK farm holding Implementing the Sustainable Use Directive (SUD) in the UK will bring about changes that potentially affect every holding across the UK, warns The Voluntary Initiative (VI). Farmers who have adopted the best practices, promoted by the VI and other schemes over the past decade, will not find the challenges too arduous. However, the complex nature of the Directive means that every farm should check that it is able to comply.

“We have some 200,000 farm holdings across the UK and potentially the requirements of SUD could affect every single holding,” warns Richard Butler, VI Chairman. “This will affect anyone who treats thousands of arable acres on a regular basis through to the small holding and pony paddock where the knapsack is used occasionally for thistle and nettle control.“The whole industry has to wake up to this fact. Farming unions, levy bodies, assurance schemes, suppliers, contractors and agronomists all have a role to play in making sure farmers are aware of the new requirements and helping them to comply.

“The VI is indebted to HGCA for stepping up to the challenge and mailing some30,000 growers with our check list of actions for farmers.“Failure to take note of SUD could lead to either prosecution for non-compliance and may in the future threaten eligibility for Single Farm Payments.”There are three key issues in the next three years:

IPM Plan

• During 2014, farmers and land managers need to develop ways to demonstrate that Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is being practised. This can be achieved by devising an IPM plan and guidance will be available on the VI website. This will affect every farm where professional crop protection products are applied. By 26 November 2015, anyone applying professional crop protection products must hold a Recognised Certificate, such as the PA1 and 2A or 6A. Those currently operating under ‘Grandfather Rights’ have two alternatives:

• To apply pesticides on their own land/property or that of their employer anyone born before 31 December 1964 can take the City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of Pesticides Replacing Grandfather Rights.

• To apply professional products as a contractor or to land not owned by them or their employer, anyone must take the existing Level 2 Safe Use of Pesticides qualification appropriate to the type of equipment used.

After 26 November, professional products should not be purchased unless the operator holds an appropriate certificate. The alternative is to delegate the task to a spray contractor with appropriate training and equipment. By 26 November 2016, all working application equipment must have been tested by the National Sprayer Testing Scheme(NSTS). For most application equipment the test needs to be repeated every five years, for some smaller machines there is a six year interval. Knapsack sprayers need to be regularly checked by the person responsible as a minimum. To help farmers and growers get to grips with the changes, the VI has published an ’Are You Ready for SUD?’ card which can be downloaded from the websitewww.voluntaryinitiative.org.uk. The card will also be available from crop protection distributors, farming unions and will be provided as part of the materials for this year’s NRoSO Operator Road show.