A new updated online nematicide training resource — completion of which is now a requirement to meet Red Tractor standards — is available for potato, sugar beet, carrot and parsnip growers who apply granular nematicides. Charlotte Cunningham reports.
According to Patrick Mitton, chair of the Nematicide Stewardship Programme (NSP), the new streamlined training resource produced by ARTIS (the NIAB training platform) offers straightforward stewardship guidance on the safe use of granular nematicides.
“The training takes approximately 20 minutes to complete, and is a one stop, easy to use module which includes information and questions to complete. Once finished, it’s possible to print a certificate, ready for a Red Tractor audit,” he says.
“The training covers the full NSP best practice protocol, including how to protect the operator, the checking and calibrating of the applicator and protecting the environment and wildlife, during and post application.”
Applying granular nematicides in line with the NSP best practice protocol became part of the audited Red Tractor standards for fresh produce, combinable crops and sugar beet standards in October 2019. According to Patrick, completion of the online training will form one of the key measurables to show compliance with the standard.
There are also BASIS points available upon completion of the module.
The training can be accessed online: http://nspstewardship.co.uk/
