Visiting facilitator Steve Higginbotham of Bayer CropScience very kindly agreed to travel to Northern Ireland and local CAFRE Technologist Robin Bolton delivered interesting papers encouraging debate and discussion amongst the producers.
This was a unique opportunity to collect CPD points and gave growers the opportunity to build on their knowledge about the professional use of Plant Protection Products and familiarise themselves with their obligations under Cross Compliance Single Farm Payment rules.
National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSo) - Is a scheme which is open to anyone who holds an appropriate NPTC PA certificate of competence, or was born before 31st December 1964 and is applying pesticides under "Grandfather Rights".
Promoting Best practice through the Voluntary Initiative
The Voluntary Initiative is demonstrating how the farming community, crop protection industry and environmental groups are working together to further build on best practice when producing quality food, with special focus on maintaining and improving biodiversity and protecting water quality.
The 2008 Northern Ireland operator road show was sponsored and delivered by The Voluntary Initiative, College of Agriculture Food & Rural Enterprise, Clarendon Agricare, Ulster Farmers' Union and Bayer CropScience.
Producers discussed how farming practices and the use of good agronomy have improved both crop yield and quality, how expert use of plant protection products can save money and also help protect the environment.
Everyone agreed that it is essential that we build on past improvements and observe best practices at all times. Key issues discussed included water protection, Selection and use of plant protection products, best application practice including nozzle selection and maintenance and ensuring only up-to-date approved products are in store.
Your active participation is required, support the Voluntary Initiative, and attend your local road shows as this gives a great opportunity to collect enough CPD points to allow producers to remain on the NRoSO register.