Does the person spreading slug pellets on your farm have the necessary qualifications?

Simply having the PA2 crop sprayer qualification wasn’t enough in many cases, Guy Donaldson, the course leader at a recent National Proficiency Test Council slug pelleting seminar organised by the North Wiltshire Training Group, told Farmers Weekly.

It was illegal to spread slug pellets without a PA4 granular application certificate, he explained. Those operators who took their PA2 course before June 1994 received the granular application certificate automatically. After that it was necessary to take a separate PA4 examination, he said.

But many operators holding “Grandfather rights” have never had formal training, and some operators were applying pellets without any qualifications.

To train unqualified operators slug pelleting seminars have been set up until a new PA4S module designed specifically for slug pellet applications is available early next year. Attendees passing the seminar will then be able to apply slug pellets as long as they also have a PA1 qualification, until July 2011. To continue applying pellets after July 2011 they will need to pass the new PA4S module in the interim period.

But even those with a valid PA4 should consider attending as the seminars would improve understanding of the risks surrounding slug pellet treatments and practical measures to ensure accurate application and handling, he noted. For those with an existing post-1994 PA2 certificate, a new PA4S certificate would be issued to those who attend and passed the post-seminar exam.

It was very heartening that qualified operators were attending, said Mr Donaldson. “We’ve got to show we are doing everything we can to get slug pellet application right. Good attendance at the seminars will show that we are committed to improving metaldehyde stewardship.”

Dan Sharps, farm manager at Prebendal Farm, Bishopstone in Wiltshire already held PA1, 2, 4 and 6, but wanted to brush up on stewardship guidelines. “You can always pick up tips and improve what you’re doing. I normally carry bags of pellets on the front of the quad bike, but I am thinking of putting a box on the front in case a bag splits.”

He had also developed his own spreading technique to improve accuracy. “I start on the edge of the field and go up the centre of all the tramlines. I then go in-between in the opposite direction. This compensates for the slightly uneven spread pattern from the spreader.”

Dan Armstrong, a farm worker with Ramsbury Estates, near Marlborough, also had a PA4 certificate: “I will definitely take things a bit more seriously, particularly when filling. In the past we have left pellets unattended at the side of the field.”

He spread pellets at 12m using both an ATV-mounted spreader and a unit mounted on the back of Cambridge rolls. “I didn’t realise little things like carrying mud contaminated with pellets on to the road could be such an issue. I will also wear protective clothing from now on.”

He had already cut down on pellet use this year. “We stopped spreading on most headlands this year and don’t spread near footpaths or rights of way.”

Seminars are taking place across the country during November, December and January. For details visit www.nptc.org.uk or contact your local training provider or distributor.

Course changes – January 2010

1. New slug pellet application only unit PA4S (slightly reduced version of PA4)

2. Revised PA4 to enhance coverage of slug pellet application

3. Revised PA2 to introduce an optional extra for slug pellet application

Are you spreading legally?

Current status Legality Action required

No PA certificate Illegal PA1 + SPS seminar, then new PA2 or 4S by July 2011*

PA2 pre-1994 Legal SPS seminar recommended

PA2 after 1994 Illegal SPS seminar, certificate will then be upgraded

PA4 Legal Legal SPS seminar recommended

Grandfather rights Legal SPS seminar recommended

Source: NPTC