This article aims to clarify legislation relating to the purchase of pesticide mixtures, such as amenity herbicides for use on such areas as golfing and bowling greens or by local authorities.
A mixed formulation is one where two pesticides or a pesticide and another compound are mixed together. Such products should only be sold if they have an approval for sale, supply, storage and use. Where there is no such approval, golf clubs, parks or others who store or use such products that have been sold to them pre-mixed are likely to be in breach of regulation 4 of the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 or regulation 4 of the Plant Protection Products (Basic Conditions) Regulations 1997, as they would be storing or using an illegal pesticide.
CRD is aware that some pesticide distributors may offer a mixing service. It is quite legal for mixing to take place after sale. Therefore, purchasers using such services should ensure that any mixtures offered to them are mixed only after sale and that only sufficient quantity for immediate use is purchased. They should not be purchased in bulk and stored for prolonged periods.
It should also be noted that mixtures stored for unnecessarily long periods might also be in breach of health and safety legislation in general.
Guidelines on Pesticide Mixing Services.
Mixtures and Sequences of Highly Active Herbicides.
Contact
For further information please contact Joan Reeves by telephoning 01904 455705, by fax on 01904 455733, by email to joan.reeves@hse.gsi.gov.uk, or in writing.
