Changes to so-called “grandfather rights” - exemptions to pesticide use for people above a certain age - are 'bitter-sweet,' the CLA said today.
A current exemption in UK law, commonly known as “grandfather rights”, allows anyone born before 31 December 1964, to use plant protection products (PPPs ) authorised for professional use on their own or their employer’s land, without having to hold a certificate (of competence) although they should still be suitably trained and competent for their job. The Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012 allows this exemption to continue until 26 November 2015, after which everyone who uses PPPs authorised for professional use must have a certificate.
In addition, after 26 November 2015, it will be an offence for anyone to purchase PPPs authorised for professional use unless they have ensured that the intended end user has a certificate.
The Association said it was concerned about a change that would mean people born before 31 December 1964 were no longer exempt from having to obtain a certificate to use pesticides.
The regulations allow this exemption to continue until 26 November 2015, after which everyone who uses PPPs authorised for professional use must have a certificate. In addition, after 26 November 2015, it will be an offence for anyone to purchase PPPs authorised for professional use unless they have ensured that the intended end user has a certificate.
The new qualification will take account of the fact that people working under “grandfather rights” should already have some form of training and may have many years experience in working with pesticides. In recognition of this, the qualification has been developed so as to take significantly less time, and cost less, than the existing Level 2 qualifications for pesticide users.
The training will be based on a workbook, setting out the required knowledge, which can be studied at the candidate’s convenience. This will be followed up with a practical assessment of competence. As with all Level 2 pesticide awards, the training modules will be based on the type of equipment to be used. The assessment should generally be possible at the candidate’s premises, an assessment centre or at an alternative suitable venue.
However, successful lobbying by the CLA has limited the number of tests required to just one City and Guilds Level 2 Certificate in the Safe Use of Pesticides.
CLA President Harry Cotterell said: “We are unhappy that professionals such as grassland farmers, gamekeepers and forestry specialists will have to undergo burdensome assessments despite having the experience to show they use pesticides responsibly.
“To reduce the impact on CLA members, we have lobbied hard against these changes brought about by the European Union’s Sustainable Use Directive. However, we recognise that Defra ministers were keen to implement the directive with the least impact possible.”
Cotterell said the changes are likely to have more impact on farms and rural businesses which occasionally use pesticides.
He added: “Instead of having to undertake separate tests that cover a range of pesticide applications, the CLA has ensured that any grandfather-rights holder will only have to take a one-off test to gain the qualification.”
