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drift even if a custom applicator was hired to
perform the application. When you hire a custom
applicator, it is important that you hire a company
that is registered, operates with certified applicators
and has the knowledge, equipment, experience
and desire to perform an application properly.
Custom applicators must be aware of neighbouring
residences and sensitive crops, (including gardens,
livestock, bees, shelterbelts and gardens) that
could present problems if drift should occur.
•
All pesticide users, commercial pesticide
applicators and farmers are legally responsible
for safe pesticide use. Farmers who cause damage
from their pesticide application activities or who
counsel a commercial pesticide service to conduct
either an illegal pesticide application or an
application under questionable circumstances
(
e.g. extremely windy conditions) that results in
damage, can be held liable for compensation and
face potential prosecution. Farmers are
cautioned not to counsel commercial applicators
to apply pesticides not registered for the use
intended or to direct applications to occur under
known circumstances that could cause damage
(
such as under windy conditions). Results of such
actions could cost you time and money by having
to appear in court to answer to charges or through
the subsequent remediation of damaged crops,
shelterbelts, gardens, etc.
Notification of neighbours before
applying pesticides
It is strongly recommended that you notify your
neighbours prior to spraying or having your crop
sprayed, particularly if your fields border your
neighbours farmstead or other sensitive areas (e.g.
where beehives, gardens or shelterbelts may be
located). Many potentially harmful situations can be
avoided if you talk to your neighbour and advise what
and when you anticipate spraying. Let them know
whether you will be spraying by ground or by air
(
noise from low flying aircraft has been known to
cause panic in livestock), and ask if your neighbour is
planning any events (e.g. family reunions/picnics)
where larger numbers of people may be gathered and
could potentially be exposed to pesticides from your
application. By notifying your neighbours, you are
not seeking their consent, but rather letting them
know you are concerned about them and their
property and want them to be able to take whatever
action they believe is necessary before spraying to
reduce the potential exposure to the pesticide.
Disposal of pesticide treated seed
Seed treated with a fungicide, fungicide mixture or
fungicide/insecticide combination can be very toxic
and should be treated with respect. A blue or red
colouration on seed indicates it is pesticide-treated.
Extra care must be taken during the transport and
disposal of pesticide treated seed to prevent domestic
animals, birds and other wildlife from consuming
the treated seed.
Spillage
To prevent treated seed spillage, move treated seed,
in labelled, marked bags. Open container transport is
not recommended. Bags should be checked for
damage, and containers should be sealed or lined
with plastic or other suitable material. Truckloads of
seed should be tarped down securely to avoid any
possible highway spillage. Treated seed blowing off
along the road can kill many birds. All treated seed
and seed treatment residue should be placed into the
seeder at planting time – never dumped in a field.
Never leave surplus treated seed unburied. Spills of
treated seed, such as from trucks lurching, can be
enough to kill deer or cattle. Any spilt seed should be
buried. Incorporate granular pesticides immediately
after application to prevent birds and other wildlife
from consuming them.
Disposal
Normally, treated seed is planted within one or two
years of treatment. If there is treated seed, either
bagged or loose that is either considered too old or
too low in germination, then consider its disposal.
Such treated seed should be mixed with new seed
and planted at higher rates or seeded by itself. For
example “old canola seed” can be mixed and sown
with new canola seed or overseed alone along field
margins or low areas. If disposal is necessary, check
with your local landfill authority before disposing in
a sanitary landfill. Ensure that the treated seed is
covered immediately after dumping.
Pesticide disposal
Unwanted or out-of-date pesticides should be
disposed of very safely and responsibly. Pesticides
are hazardous wastes and cannot be disposed of in
sanitary landfills or by burning. If you will not be
able to use pesticide supplies, check to see whether
a neighbour may have some use for them. Pesticides
that have no further use must be disposed of through
a qualified (approved) hazardous waste disposal
firm. Names of companies that are licenced to handle
hazardous waste can be obtained by contacting