WIREDGOV

The National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) and Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) have teamed up to host a series of workshops on the topical issue of Pesticides: maximising crop production while minimising environmental impact.

The free, half-day sessions offer essential information for professional contractors that will provide them with the latest on best practice when using pesticides.  The workshops, run in conjunction with the Voluntary Initiative, will take place in Suffolk and Kent later this month.

The workshop programme will cover:

• Efficient use of pesticides - recent changes to pesticide regulations: the impact on your business and your customers’ business; responsible use of pesticides; sprayer testing;

• The role of Agricultural Contractors in delivering the Water Framework Directive;

• An introduction to the Catchment Sensitive Farming initiative - explaining the free training and advice that is available to help improve a contractor’s environmental work practices and environmental credentials;

• Farm walk to see newly installed sprayer wash down facilities and bio-bed.

The next workshops are taking place this month in East Anglia and the South East:

Tuesday 18th June at Bateman’s Barn, South Elmham, Suffolk  IP20 0PY
Thursday 27th June at The Wheel Inn Pub, Westwell, Kent  TN25 4LQ

The workshops are free and include lunch.  BASIS and NRoSO points are available.

To book a place on the workshops please email jennifer.bowler@naac.co.uk or call Freephone on 08456 448750.

Jennifer Bowler, Executive Officer for NAAC said: “More farmers and land managers are expecting their contractor to be aware of the various initiatives that relate to their farm such as CSF, NVZ and the implications of the Water Framework Directive.  It is now more important than ever that contractors are engaged in these issues and are recognised by the scheme operators for their important role within the farming process.  These half-day events will give professional contractors the ‘need to know’ information so they can continue to provide the very best service to their customers.”

Catchment Sensitive Farming is a joint project between the Environment Agency and Natural England, funded by Defra and the Rural Development Programme for England, working in priority catchments within England. 

Catchment Sensitive Farming is a joint initiative between the Environment Agency and Natural England, funded by Defra and the Rural Development Programme for England, working in priority catchments within England. 

• The project is proving successful in reducing diffuse water pollution from agriculture and is important in helping to meet the Water Framework Directive standards. Catchment Sensitive Farming was introduced by Defra in 40 priority catchments in April 2006 to raise awareness and encourage early voluntary action by farmers and land managers to tackle diffuse water pollution from agricultural sources.

• The project is part of the national response to meet the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive and contributes towards achieving Natura 2000 objectives.

• Since it began seven years ago over 6,000 farmers and land managers have received around £54m in grants for capital works

The National Association of Agricultural Contractors represents contractors in the UK who supply all types of land-based services to farmers, government, local authorities, sports and recreational facilities. We are committed to representing the interests of contractors at national and European level.  The NAAC offers information and advice, promotes the services of its members and assists contractors in providing a professional and competitive service to farmers and the community

The Voluntary Initiative (VI) is a unique consortium involving a wide range of agricultural, crop protection, water industry and stakeholder groups, supported by regulators and government. It has developed considerable practical expertise over many years in working with farmers and agronomists to develop and promote voluntary uptake of best practice measures for responsible pesticide use that minimise adverse effects on the environment. The VI’s work focuses on agricultural and horticultural use of pesticides and it thus has a high level of credibility and support amongst farmers, growers and their advisors. It has also entered into a number of successful partnerships with Catchment Sensitive Farming to jointly develop and promote best practice in the use of pesticides.

For further information (media enquiries only) please contact:

David Hirst, Natural England press officer: david.hirst@naturalengland.org.uk 
Twitter: @NaturalEngland