Question 1

Do I legally need to keep spray records in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Yes — UK law under the Food and Environment Protection Act (FEPA) and the Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products requires that records of all pesticide applications to agricultural land are kept for at least 3 years. Records must include: the product name and approval number, the date of application, the area and crop treated, the dose applied, and the name of the operator. Failure to keep adequate records can result in enforcement action and may affect farm assurance scheme membership.

Question 2

What does PA1, PA2 and PA6 mean for sprayer operators?

Accepted Answer

PA1 is the foundation certificate required for all professional users of pesticides — it covers legislation, safety, storage, and emergency procedures. PA6 is the additional certificate required for operators of self-propelled and tractor-mounted boom sprayers. PA2 covers pedestrian-operated equipment. These certificates are awarded by BASIS or NPTC and must be held before legally using pesticides professionally in the UK. Contractors and farm employees must hold the appropriate certificate; farmers spraying their own land may have some exemptions but the certificate is strongly recommended.

Question 3

What is LERAP and how does it affect where I can spray?

Accepted Answer

LERAP (Local Environmental Risk Assessment for Pesticides) is a scheme that allows operators to reduce the buffer zone between a spray application and a watercourse, provided they comply with certain requirements — using low-drift nozzles, checking weather conditions, and keeping records. Standard buffer zones are set on product labels (typically 5–20m from a watercourse). If you use LERAP-rated nozzles (star rating system), you may be able to reduce these buffer zones. The LERAP buffer entered in this tool is for your records — always check the current product label and LERAP star chart for your specific nozzle and product.

Question 4

What wind speed is safe for spraying?

Accepted Answer

The UK Code of Practice states that spraying should not be carried out when wind speed exceeds 5 mph (2.2 m/s, Beaufort Scale 2) for boom sprayers with conventional nozzles. In still air (0 mph), spraying should also be avoided due to the risk of temperature inversion — where warm, mist-laden air can remain close to the ground and drift unpredictably. The ideal spraying conditions are a gentle, steady breeze of 1–4 mph from a consistent direction. This calculator flags wind speeds above 5 mph as unsuitable and 0 mph as a caution.

Question 5

What is PHI (pre-harvest interval) and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

The pre-harvest interval (PHI) is the minimum number of days that must elapse between the last application of a pesticide and the harvest of the treated crop. It is set on the product approval to ensure that pesticide residues in the harvested crop do not exceed the Maximum Residue Level (MRL). Exceeding the MRL can result in crop rejection at the merchant or food processor. PHI varies significantly between products and crops — always check the current product label for the correct PHI before spraying, and record it in your spray records.

Question 6

What PPE is required when spraying pesticides?

Accepted Answer

Required PPE for pesticide application is specified on the individual product label — always read it before use. Typical requirements for mixing and loading include: chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), chemical-resistant coveralls (Type 4 or 5), eye protection or full face visor, and a respirator (often P3 filter for dusts or A2/P3 for vapours). During application with a closed cab tractor with a charcoal filter, PPE requirements are reduced but gloves are usually still required for any contact with product. Keep a record of the PPE used as part of your spray record.

Question 7

How do I calculate how much water I need for a spray job?

Accepted Answer

Total water required = water volume (L/ha) × area to be sprayed (ha). For example, spraying 50 ha at 100 L/ha requires 5,000 litres of water. Divide by your tank capacity to get the number of tank loads — a 3,000 litre tank would need 2 full loads (with 1,000 litres spare on the second load). This calculator performs this automatically when you enter water volume, tank size and field area. Always allow for tank rinse water and a small margin for calibration testing.

Question 8

Can I use this spray record for Red Tractor or farm assurance audits?

Accepted Answer

The PDF generated by this tool includes all the fields required by most UK farm assurance schemes including Red Tractor and Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF). However, different assurance bodies may have specific requirements for their record format. It is recommended to check your specific scheme's requirements and use this tool as a starting point or backup record. The PDF includes operator name, certificate number, product details, dose, area, date, conditions, LERAP buffer and PHI — all standard audit requirements.

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Frequently Asked Questions — Spray Records & UK Law