Watch your spray drift or pay the fine
The current crop season and a recent prosecution for damage from spray drift are both timely reminders for chemical users to be careful when spraying agricultural chemicals.
Producers or spray contractors who fail to follow label instructions on agricultural chemicals are liable for prosecution with fines up to $60,000.
Biosecurity Queensland Officer Dr Sandra Baxendell said an Emerald property owner was recently fined $9,000 for damage caused to a neighbouring crop from chemical spray drift.
“Direct chemical drift from a spray boom used by the property owner caused partial crop loss on a neighbouring property,” she said.
“The owner pleaded guilty to carrying out distribution of a chemical in a hazardous area and in conditions reasonably intended to do damage to a crop.
This is only a small fine in relation to what offenders could face but we hope this serves as an example to other property owners spraying their crops this season – we are monitoring and we will prosecute.”
Dr Baxendell said many crops last year had significant damage due to spray drift.
“Spray drift damage can result in the replanting of large areas which comes at a huge cost to producers,” she said.
“We have previously encouraged neighbours to talk to each other about their spraying activities and this has helped, but not enough.
Chemical users need to get serious about spray drift and realise that it is not just adjoining properties that could suffer financial losses – there are fines for them too.”
For more information and tips on spray drift call the Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries Business Information Centre or visit the website www.dpi.qld.gov.au
Biosecurity Queensland Officer Dr Sandra Baxendell said an Emerald property owner was recently fined $9,000 for damage caused to a neighbouring crop from chemical spray drift.
“Direct chemical drift from a spray boom used by the property owner caused partial crop loss on a neighbouring property,” she said.
“The owner pleaded guilty to carrying out distribution of a chemical in a hazardous area and in conditions reasonably intended to do damage to a crop.
This is only a small fine in relation to what offenders could face but we hope this serves as an example to other property owners spraying their crops this season – we are monitoring and we will prosecute.”
Dr Baxendell said many crops last year had significant damage due to spray drift.
“Spray drift damage can result in the replanting of large areas which comes at a huge cost to producers,” she said.
“We have previously encouraged neighbours to talk to each other about their spraying activities and this has helped, but not enough.
Chemical users need to get serious about spray drift and realise that it is not just adjoining properties that could suffer financial losses – there are fines for them too.”
For more information and tips on spray drift call the Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries Business Information Centre or visit the website www.dpi.qld.gov.au
