DEPARTMENT officials have launched a crackdown on farmers who fail to keep appropriate records of their agricultural chemical use.
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The Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources has issued five infringement notices to chemical users for failing to keep the required records.
Statewide chemical standards officer Steve Field said keeping records was not just a legal requirement but an important aspect of farm management.
"The infringements were for pretty basic errors," Mr Field said. "In these cases, we'd already audited them once, pointed out where they needed to improve and they had failed to do that.
"All agricultural chemicals can be dangerous if they are not used properly. The examples we've seen included schedule seven chemicals which are the most toxic to use.
"It's not just a legal requirement. It is also good practice, to avoid things like using similar chemicals over time which can result in pesticide resistance."
Mr Field said good record keeping provided useful information for farmers and a good legal defence if they faced accusations of misuse, such as spray drift onto neighbouring crops or houses.
He said the main compliance issues found related to recording wind speed and direction, and the use of full product trade name and application rate.
It is compulsory to complete the following records within 48 hours of using an agricultural chemical product, and to keep these records for two years from the date of use: product trade name, date used, application rate, crop or commodity treated, extent of use, the location, the name and address of the applicator, supervisor and property owner, and wind speed and direction.
Additional records are needed when using poison baits for pest animal control and for the use of certain veterinary chemical products to treat stock animals. Records can be hand-written or computer generated but must be clear, accurate and readily available to a DEDJTR authorised officer upon request.
gavin.mcgrath@fairfaxmedia.com.au
www.depi.vic.gov.au/chemicaluse