THE NATIONAL Sprayer Testing Scheme (NSTS) has achieved its target set by the Voluntary Initiative (VI), latest figures reveal.

The VI target required NSTS sprayer testing to cover at least 50% of the total sprayed area by March 31 2005.

But due to a month time lag in processing forms, confirmation of hitting the target has just been confirmed, said VI manager, Patrick Goldsworthy.

“It is really good news that this target has been met,” he commented.

With around 1.36m ha under Crop Protection Management plans and over 20,000 National Register of Sprayer Operator members, all of the major VI targets have been met on time, he said.

NSTS manager Duncan Russell acknowledged that meeting the sprayer testing target on time was close.

“In only its second year of existence, to reach the substantial target of 50% of sprayed area is no mean achievement.

“But we must not rest on our laurels as the next target is 80% of treated area by March 31 2006.”

Of all sprayers tested under the NSTS, over half (56.9%) required some repair to achieve the required standard, with the biggest problem being leaks and drips, said Mr Russell.

There has been slightly more varied success for other areas of the VI, added Mr Goldsworthy.

The number of BETA (Biodiversity and Environmental training for Advisors) qualified agronomists is 25% above target, but the number of products with Environmental Information sheets is still lagging, he noted.

“We originally forecast reaching 450 information sheets, based on the number of members we had at the time.

“But since then we have lost some members and progress is currently around 418 sheets.”

Sprayer operators can download a machine maintenance check sheet from the NSTS website, www.nsts.org.uk.