How to ensure pesticide sprays hit their target accurately will be the focus for Agrovista and other distributor’s winter training courses in support of the National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSO) and the Voluntary Initiative.

The courses, which will be available through most AIC-affiliated distributors, some non-AIC distributors and agronomy groups, focus on training spray operators how to spray accurately and efficiently. Particular emphasis will be placed on preventing drift – particularly important given the prominence of bystander exposure in the past year, AIC’s Hazel Doonan says.

Over the past five years more than 22,000 spray operators have gained NRoSO registration, which needs to be maintained by training each year.

This year Agrovista is looking to increase the number of courses and venues it runs nationwide, the firm’s Chris Glover says. “We ran 90 courses last year, but there is demand for more. We are aiming to make the training even more accessible to operators.”

Agrovista’s courses will commence in December and run through into February 2007 across mainland Britain, he says.

“It is in our interests that products are applied accurately to maximise returns and protect the environment.”

Delegates will not sit any examinations, but will be provided with a comprehensive workbook pack and certificate of attendance, and will leave with improved and up-to-date knowledge of application issues and legislation. NRoSO and BASIS CPD points will be available.