95% of the sprayers in use have not been tested to meet the requirements of the Sustainable Use Directive.
ADVERTISEMENT
Just 5% of sprayers have been tested, according to Department of Agriculture figures, the Irish Farmers Journal has learned. It is estimated that there are 30,000 sprayers in use in Ireland. This leaves 28,500 to be tested in three months.
The Sustainable Use Directive stipulates that all sprayers must be tested by 26 November. This figure may be lower, as farmers may have decided to retire older machines and purchase new sprayers that have five years to be tested. Another factor is that there will not be the capacity to test 2,375 sprayers a week to meet the Department deadline. Sprayers not tested after that date cannot be used until they have been inspected and passed, or they may be decommissioned altogether.
A solution to the problem could be to introduce a registration system from sprayers when they are bought.
ADVERTISEMENT
The penalty for an untested sprayer is a fine but a farmer’s basic payment will not be affected.
Register for free to read this story and our free stories.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
Just 5% of sprayers have been tested, according to Department of Agriculture figures, the Irish Farmers Journal has learned. It is estimated that there are 30,000 sprayers in use in Ireland. This leaves 28,500 to be tested in three months.
The Sustainable Use Directive stipulates that all sprayers must be tested by 26 November. This figure may be lower, as farmers may have decided to retire older machines and purchase new sprayers that have five years to be tested. Another factor is that there will not be the capacity to test 2,375 sprayers a week to meet the Department deadline. Sprayers not tested after that date cannot be used until they have been inspected and passed, or they may be decommissioned altogether.
A solution to the problem could be to introduce a registration system from sprayers when they are bought.
The penalty for an untested sprayer is a fine but a farmer’s basic payment will not be affected.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS