fbpx
Print this page
Tuesday, 04 November 2014 10:24

Agchemical operators need to have certification

Written by 

RURAL CONTRACTORS New Zealand (RCNZ) says it endorses recent warnings by Waikato Regional Council (WRC) that agrichemical contractors operating without certification are breaching regulations.

 Chief executive Roger Parton says RCNZ shares the concerns of WRC and other regional councils about unqualified and/or unregistered chemical applicators not been properly trained or qualified to spray agrichemicals.

“RCNZ has a chemical applicator accreditation programme to meet the needs of our members and the industry.”

Parton says the application of agrichemicals has to be done in a competent and professional manner to ensure the enhancement of the crop and the safety of the operator, the environment and the public.

There are two levels of agrichemical applicator accreditation available through Rural Contractors New Zealand: basic chemical applicator and registered chemical applicator.

“Rural Contractors New Zealand has a strict policy in regards to any person applying agrichemicals in a public place or on private property for hire and reward,” Parton says. 

“He or she has either got to be the holder of a registered chemical applicator accreditation or have a basic chemical applicator (or equivalent) accreditation and be operating under the immediate and direct supervision of the holder of a registered chemical applicator accreditation.”

Parton says all agrichemical contractors accredited through RCNZ carry wallet cards to prove their accreditation.

RCNZ supports rules requiring that neighbours be notified before any spraying takes place. “However, spraying can only take place when weather conditions are
suitable and sometimes this does not permit the notification timeframes required in the rules,” he says.

More like this

NZ/UK contractor exchange scheme

A new partnership to try and help solve the labour shortage gap for rural contractors in both NZ and the UK has recently been established.

Piggery effluent polluting stream

Waikato Regional Council has sought an interim Enforcement Order from the Environment Court to stop piggery effluent from entering a waterway north of Te Aroha.

Featured

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

Editorial: Passage to India

OPINION: Even before the National-led coalition came into power, India was very much at the fore of its trade agenda.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

A different shade of blue for Norwood

Norwood and ARGO Tractors, the Italian manufacturer of Landini and McCormick tractors, have announced an agreement that gives Norwood exclusive…

Kubota tests diesel engines

Kubota last month used the UK LAMMA Show to test the water with its new 200hp, four-cylinder 09-series diesel engines.