When 50% drift reduction nozzles are used, a 90% drift reduction can still be obtained when other measures are used in combination (such as hedges, wind nets etc.)
Source: Buses anti-dérive agréées en Belgique pour une réduction de 50% The use of certain pesticides that are dangerous to aquatic organisms is subject to additional drift reduction measures. These precautionary measures apply to uses on fields that are close to water bodies.
- Non-treated buffer zone along the water body - Use of a particular pesticide spraying device - Use of low-drift nozzles - Potentially the set up of a hedge or other shield to protect water from spray drift The width of the buffer zone (2, 5, 10, 20 30 meters) and the drift reduction percentage (50, 75, 90%) to be achieved are indicated on the concerned pesticide product. Drift reducing nozzles (field and orchard)
Vitesse maximale d'avancement
No precise maximum speed values could be identified, but a a standard speed is 6 km/h, according to a related TOPPS brochure. |
All pesticide users must observe the indicated doses and buffer zones as indicated on the pesticide product labels. A buffer zone is a non-treated zone along surface water (ditch, pond, drainage channel, …). The establishment of such a zone aims at protecting aquatic organisms (fish, fresh water crustacea, algua etc.) against pesticide dust or fog that might be created at the application of pesticides.
The vegetation on a buffer zone is not of importance: it might be just a grassed strip or consist of any other type of vegetation. The buffer zone might be part of the field or be cultivated the same way as the field. The width of the buffer zone is the minimal distance calculated from the last cultivated row (when the product is applied) and the bank (the highest point of the water body). In Belgium, buffer zones are set at 2-200 m, depending on the risk of an individual pesticide to aquatic organisms. However, there is a minimum 1 m non-treated buffer zone (for boom sprayers) or 3 m (orchard sprayers) along surfaces that must not be treated (adjacent field or plot, ditch, hedge, roadside, pavement). This rule does not apply if the users on two adjacent plots do agree that the spray drift is not hindering and if they accept the downsides of this drift. Edge nozzles can achieve a drift reduction on a very short distance. Their use is recommended to limit damage on adjacent fields and biodiversity zones. Source: www.fytoweb.fgov.be Links & DocumentsContact |