Always think water!
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Pesticides are a valuable tool for the production of high quality, safe and dependable food. At the same time it is important to minimise the impact of crop protection products on the environment.
EU regulations specify a maximum concentration of a pesticide of 0.1 parts per billion in water. To put this in perspective it is the equivalent of one thimble full of pesticide in 50 olympic swimming pools. This is not a science based limit. It was based on the limit of detection of a pesticide at the time it became law. Even a large body of water such as a major river can exceed this limit with just a tiny amount of pesticide. Everybody involved in agriculture must help prevent these important products from getting into watercourses.
To help minimise the environmental effects of pesticides and help prevent these products from getting into water, a program of training, research and awareness was introduced by farming related organisations alongside the Government called the Voluntary Iinitiative. An important part of this initiative is to train spray operatives to minimise the amount of pesticide getting into water. Failure to do so could result in restriction or even loss of popular products in the future.
A range of useful literature and advice can be found on the VI web site along with a number of training initiatives. The H2OK cab card (PDF 40KB) is particularly useful. Please visit the VI website for other information.
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Pesticides in perspective
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Pesticides bring enormous benefits to the world by helping to produce a secure and stable supply of good quality food and other agricultural products such as cotton. In the developing world, infestations of pests can cause financial ruin
Please click on the attached link PDF Pesticides in perspective (1100KB) for more information about pesticides. Please note this is a large file and not suitable for download unless you have a broadband connection
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Useful information
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Cleaning of pesticide containers (PDF 835 KB)
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Pesticide container disposal (PDF 60KB)
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Pesticide disposal (PDF 55KB)
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Pesticide disposal, frequently asked questions (PDF 16KB)
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Pesticide disposal contractors (PDF 16KB)
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H2OK water protection advice for farmers and advisors 2011(PDF 1100 KB. note large file size)
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