News

Make sure you have your pesticides certification before 30th November

Make sure you have your pesticides certification before 30th November

 

Those in the South Kerry area who work with or use pesticides are being encouraged to make sure they have undertaken a certified course before the end of November this year in order to be able to continue to do so. Under a new EU directive, only those with the correct certification will be able to purchase any form of undiluted pesticides after this date. Other non-certified customers will only be able to purchase a diluted form of pesticide from suppliers and suppliers who provide undiluted pesticides to non-certified customers after this date are likely to be committing and offence.

South Kerry Development Partnership is currently organising courses in the region for those who are interested in getting accredited. Up to 7 such courses are planned to take place in the Mid Kerry region alone over the coming months while many other courses will be organised in the other parts of the region. These courses are fully accredited and are open to any interested persons.

SKDP Manager Joseph McCrohan said that it is very important that farmers in particular in the region who use any form of pesticides on their farms, even if only on a very irregular basis, ensure they get their certificate on time. “Where a farmer uses a contractor to spray pesticides on the farm then they are covered under the new directive if they can prove the use of the contractor” Joseph said. “However, any other use of pesticides on a farm by an uncertified person could result in the farmer losing out on some farm payments” he added. Therefore, we would encourage anyone in the South Kerry region who feels they should have this certificate to contact us and register on time to do this course” Joseph concluded.

The course costs €150 with an additional cost for some protective clothing and the certificate issued has a life time validity. Those interested in registering for the course are asked to contact either Joseph McCrohan or John McCrohan in the SKDP offices in Cahersiveen on 066 9472724 or in Killorglin on 066 9761615 for full details.