The facts about pesticide storage

Suppliers storing pesticides for sale or supply must hold a BASIS Certificate of Competence

The ‘code of practice' for suppliers of pesticides to agriculture, horticulture and forestry’ backed up by the 2012 introduction of the ‘Sustainable Use Directive’, states that there are continued requirements for the storage, handling and disposals of pesticides.

There is a continued requirement to take reasonable precautions and for those storing products for placing on the market, ensuring that the staff have undergone a two-day Nominated Store Keepers (NSK) course or an equivalent qualification.

The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) offer an accredited training course that meets these requirements and includes both classroom training and practical exercises.

The course aims to equip nominated store keepers to meet the standards of pesticide storage laid down in the ‘code of practice’ – it covers the basis principals of good store keeping, legislative requirements and the responsibilities of the nominated store keeper. 

Myles McGeown of JF McKenna in Armagh who completed the NSK course says: “I learned a lot on the course from the basic tips of storing liquids below powders and what to do about spillages to issues on first aid for those contaminated with pesticide. It also brought home to me the limited environmental impact sprays have if they are handled correctly.”

This two day course will be delivered at CAFRE (Greenmount campus) on the 20 and 21 February with the opportunity for current nominated store keepers to complete a refresher course on the 22 February.

Spaces on this course normally fill up very quickly so for further information and/or enrolment details please visit the CAFRE website or call a member of the Industry training team on 028 9442 6880.

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