Practical management of agrichemical risk bridging the gap between regulation expectations and industry practice

• Published in: New Zealand plant protection Vol. 66; p. 380
• Main Authors: Manktelow, D.W.L., Park, N.M., Maber, J.M., Walker, J.T.S., Hodson, A.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 08.01.2013
• Subjects: New Zealand
• ISSN: 1175-9003; 1179-352X
• DOI: 10.30843/nzpp.2013.66.5688

Agrichemical users face increasing pressures to adhere to and document safe and responsible use practices Many requirements are set by the Resource Management (RMA) and Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) legislation Additional use and user requirements are dictated by market expectations for residues and adherence to different GAP programmes Widespread adoption of industry relevant user training programmes is arguably the most effective way to achieve safe and effective agrichemical use in New Zealand RMA requirements under all Regional Plans in the country require some level of agrichemical user training with HSNO legislation requiring separate approved handler (AH) certification for at least one person on most properties With over 50000 farms and horticultural properties in NZ the estimated agrichemical user trainee population is well over 100000 people GROWSAFE and AH certificate numbers from 200409 after the 2004 enactment of the HSNO legislation for agrichemicals averaged 9900 per annum These certificates are required to be renewed every 5 years but average trainee numbers from 200812 dropped to only 4950 per annum Training requirements and outcome expectations are reviewed in light of these declining trainee numbers and a new industryfocussed training initiative is described