Q1. Do I have to tell my neighbours if I am going to spray pesticides?
Q2. What rules or regulations do farmers have to follow when using pesticides?
Q3. Do I have to have a licence to spray pesticides?
Q4. Who runs training courses for certificates of competence?
Q5. I want to carry out aerial spraying. What do I need to do?
Q6. How do I dispose of my pesticides and containers?
Q7. Can I use a professional product in a home or garden?
Q8. I hold a certificate of competence. Can I use an amateur product in a professional situation?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Do I have to tell my neighbours if I am going to spray pesticides?
It is always good practice to warn people living or working nearby that you will be spraying pesticides. However for a few pesticides, you must do this by law and it will be written on the product label (except in the case of commodity substances). There are also some circumstances when you must give the public notice about spraying, such as when you are spraying from a helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft. You should always follow the guidance in the 'Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products.
Code of practice for using Plant Protection Products
Q2. What rules or regulations do farmers have to follow when using pesticides?
Everyone who uses a pesticide must take reasonable steps to:
- protect the health of people, animals and plants;
- protect the environment; and
- avoid polluting water.
If you use a pesticide in your work, you and your employer must make sure that you get enough instruction, training and guidance to carry out your work. You (or your supervisor) must also have a 'certificate of competence' (from recognised professional training provider) if you:
- were born after 31 December 1964; or
- are providing a commercial service, for example as a contractor or when spraying land that is not yours or your employer's.
We have given advice on how you can meet the requirements of the law in the 'code of practice for using plant protection products'. This is published jointly by Defra and the Health & Safety Executive.
Code of practice for using Plant Protection Products
Further Information on Training to Use Pesticides
See also Question 4
Q3. Do I have to have a licence to spray pesticides?
See Question 2.
Q4. Who runs training courses for certificates of competence?
The NPTC (formally known as the National Proficiency Tests Council) gives certificates of competence. They can tell you where courses are being held in your area. Alternatively you could contact your local Agricultural College.
Visit the NPTC website at: www.nptc.org.uk or telephone them on (0247) 685 7300.
Q5. I want to carry out aerial spraying. What do I need to do?
You must follow the guidance on aerial spraying in Schedule 4 to the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (as amended), or the Plant Protection Products Regulations 2005 (as amended). You must also tell the Environment Agency and Natural England.
Schedules to the Control of Pesticides Regulations
Schedules to the Plant Protection Products Regulations
Environment Agency
Natural England
Q6. How do I dispose of my pesticides and containers?
You must not store or use a pesticide if it is no longer approved.
You should always try to use up pesticides according to their label instructions. However, sometimes you may need to dispose of pesticides that you have stored. In the 'Code of practice for using plant protection products' (section 5) we give advice on how to dispose of pesticide containers and waste.
Q7. Can I use a professional product in a home or garden?
It may be possible for you to use a professional pesticide in what we would consider to be an 'amateur' situation (such as the home or garden). However, you will need to be able to answer 'yes' to the following questions which relate to the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (as amended):
- will the conditions of approval of the pesticide be followed?
- if a certificate of competence is needed, does the user have one?
- will reasonable precautions such as those given in the Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products and instructions on the label be followed.
As each situation is different, you may wish to contact us to discuss your proposed use.
Q8. I hold a certificate of competence. Can I use an amateur product in a professional situation?
It may be possible for you to use an amateur pesticide in what we would consider to be a 'professional' situation (such as in agriculture). However, you will need to be able to answer 'yes' to the following questions which relate to the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (as amended):
As each situation is different, you may wish to contact us to discuss your proposed use.
