Food and Environment Protection Act 1985, (chapter 48, part III)
The Control of Pesticides Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 and the Control of Pesticides (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997.
This legislation controls the sale, supply, storage, use and advertisement of pesticides. The term 'pesticide' includes a herbicide, fungicide, insecticide, rodenticide, soil sterilant, wood preservative, surface biocide or plant growth regulator. It is defined in more detail within the Control of Pesticides Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987.
Under this legislation it is an offence to:
- Pollute the environment and / or use a pesticide in such a way that would be likely to cause harm to humans and animals;
- Not follow the instructions in the statutory box on the pesticide label;
- Use pesticides approved for agricultural use without a certificate of competence (if born after 31st December 1964). A certificate of competence is also required by a person, of any age, who uses a pesticide in the course of a commercial service.
The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise![[external site]](extlink.gif)
at the Greenmount & Enniskillen Campus provide training in the application of pesticides and arrange competence testing.
at the Greenmount & Enniskillen Campus provide training in the application of pesticides and arrange competence testing.Maximum penalties for non-compliance are specified within the regulations..
Enforcement, of the statutory requirements for the use of pesticides at both agricultural and non-agricultural premises, is by the Health & Safety Executive for Northern Ireland. The District Councils enforce the statutory requirements for the sale or supply of pesticides.
A copy of the Regulations can be viewed on Her Majesty's Stationary Office website.
website.