SPRAYER FILLING areas should be the main focus when it comes to reducing pesticide contamination of watercourses, said Mike Huntingdon of Knight Farm Machinery.

“Spraying in the field isn’t the problem, it’s when growers come to fill up that’s the issue.”

Growers should pay close attention to filling areas and locate them on relatively level sites where the risk of runoff is minimised, he said.

Channelling any runoff into a separate storage system or biobed is also recommended.

“Although I was originally sceptical about them, lined biobeds do seem to be the way forward. Most farms could probably put one together quite cheaply – for less than £1,000,” he said.

Attention should also be given to the logistics of handling empty containers and setting aside sufficient time to wash and dispose of them correctly, he noted.

“What we do with empty cans, foil caps and other packaging is a problem. A recycling scheme is being looked at, but we’re not there yet. Growers should also start to question those that they buy chemicals from,” he added.