The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) will be in regional NSW this week as part of an education and compliance campaign for the safe use of pesticides.
EPA officers will be visiting farms in the Moree and Narrabri regions and talking with those who apply pesticides to raise awareness and hear any concerns.
EPA Director Operations, Scott Kidd said the campaign is important leading into spraying season.
“We’re talking with pesticide users on how to carefully follow the label instructions for each chemical, store their chemicals safely and keep accurate and up-to-date records of spraying activity for three years,” Mr Kidd said.
“We are also reminding commercial contractors who are undertaking pesticide work about holding the appropriate pesticide licence. Contractors who are paid to spray weeds must hold a ground applicator licence.
“Training in the correct use of pesticides helps prevent mistakes in the application of pesticides and helps protect the applicator, community and the environment.”
Further information is available on the EPA website including the regulatory requirements for the ground application of pesticides.
Applications for all pesticides licences may be submitted online using eConnect EPA.
The EPA has also launched a targeted social media campaign which will run until early January, raising awareness of the conditions that can cause spray drift and its impact. Information about avoiding spray drift is available here.
If you have been affected by spray drift, you should report the incident to the Environment Line on 131 555 as soon as possible.
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