The City & Guilds Land Based Services has announced changes to existing PA4 granular application certifications ahead of the main slug pelleting season.
Jon Sarsfield of City & Guilds Land Based Services explains, the existing PA4 which previously omitted slug pelleting programmes, is now being split into separate PA4S and PA4G certifications.
"The new PA4S certificate is a specific slug pellet application module for operators applying pellets to ensure they have the knowledge and practical experience for correct use," he says.
The development comes following last year’s amendments to PA certifications which saw classroom-based training being rolled out to rectify any gaps in existing training.
"Slug Pelleting Seminar’s (SPS) have been taking place in the interim before these changes to the PA4 modules came into effect," explains Jon. The SPS seminars, covering everything but the practical pelleting calibrations, are still running to update those with existing PA4. "It’s strongly recommended that anyone with the old PA4 still does the slug pelleting seminar," he advised.
The new PA4 G will now replace the existing granular application certification in an assessment that’s primarily designed to accommodate nematicide granules.
"The PA4S is focused specifically to the application of slug pellets. We’re aiming to improve growers’ understanding of the risks associated with slug pellet treatments and the practical measures that can deliver accurate applications and ensure proper handling.
"We need to ensure every operator is getting pelletwise to ensure they are applying legally and in accordance with Metaldehyde Stewardship Group’s (MSG) guidelines, especially in light of the changes that have come in to the MSG’s best practice advice for 2010," believes Jon.
"It’s in the industry’s interest that levels of metaldehyde detected in watercourses are reduced. By ensuring every operator is correctly trained and that machinery is fit for purpose we can help reduce these risks," he concluded.
