
Pesticide Training
Pesticide Spraying Training Courses and Assessments
Safe Use Of Pesticides, Boom Sprayers, Hand Held Applicators, Grandfather Rights and Stem Injection
BNG Training in Northern Ireland offer training and assessments in Spraying Courses – Safe Use of Pesticides foundation modules Pa1, Pa2, Pa6 and Pa6aw, Grandfather Rights and Stem Injection. Once you have obtained your PA1 theory certificate, you can then take any other module, making sure that you’re legal, safe and cross compliant when using Pesticides (Plant Protection Products). We provide our training and assessments at our own centre in Ballycastle or throughout the country upon request.
Legislation: The law requires that anyone who uses or applies pesticides in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Industrial and Amenity workplaces must possess a valid Pesticide Certificate of qualification in order to comply with regulations. This legislation isn’t optional and it applies to volunteers, employed and self-employed people alike. The Pa1 award allows you to buy and store pesticides and the Pa2 and Pa6 awards allow you to apply or spray the pesticide.
Grandfather Rights
A current exemption in UK law, commonly known as “grandfather rights”, allows anyone born before 31st December 1964, to use Plant Protection Products (PPPs) authorised for professional use on crops, land, produce, materials, buildings including building contents) which are owned, occupied or rented by them or their employer without having to hold a Certificate of Competence, although they should still be properly trained and competent for their job. The Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012 allows this exemption to continue until 26th November 2015, after which everyone who uses Pesticides authorised for professional use must hold a Certificate of Competence
PA1 Spraying Course is the Foundation Theory Module, assessing knowledge of basic legislation for pesticides. PA1 must be passed by anyone wishing to take any other PA units.
PA2 Spraying Course is needed by anyone wanting to operate mounted or trailed boom sprayers. It’s also needed if you wish to operate most ‘weed wiper’ types of applicator.
PA6 Spraying Course is needed by anyone wishing to apply pesticides using a hand-held lance or knapsack type applicator. The lance may be vehicle-mounted e.g. on a tractor or ATV.
PA6aw Spraying Course is needed by anyone wanting to apply pesticides using a hand-held lance or knapsack type applicator in or near waterways.
GrandFather Rights Spraying Course This qualification is specifically for those who were previously exempt under ‘Grandfather Rights’ who apply pesticides on land they own or occupy.
Stem Injection Course is needed by anyone wanting to apply pesticides using hand held stem injection equipment in example for the control of Japanese Knotweed.