Training and inspections: Member States must ensure that all professional users, distributors and advisers have access to appropriate and independently organised instruction and training or further training, including regular updating on new information available, on the sustainable and proper use of plant protection products reflecting the level of responsibility of those concerned and their specific role with regard to integrated pest management. To this end, minimum requirements that are binding throughout the Community shall be laid down. In the case of micro business-type farms or wineries, Member States shall ensure that one person working as a professional user within the meaning of Article 3(b) has access to such training. Professional users, distributors and advisers must be aware of the existence and risks of illegal (counterfeit) plant protection products, and are properly trained to identify such products. An assessment system must be laid down three years after the entry into force of the directive.

ANNEX I

Article 5

Training

1. Member States shall ensure that all professional users, distributors and advisers have access to appropriate training.

The training shall be designed so as to ensure that sufficient knowledge on the subjects listed in Annex I is acquired.

2. Within two years from the date referred to in Article 20(1), Member States shall establish certificate systems providing evidence of attendance to a whole training session covering as a minimum the subjects listed in Annex I.

3. The Commission may, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 18(3), amend Annex I for adaptation to technical and scientific progress.

 

Training programmes

Training programmes shall be designed so as to ensure that sufficient knowledge on the following subjects is acquired:

1. all relevant legislation regarding pesticides and their use

2. the hazards and risks associated with pesticides, and how to identify and control them, in particular:

a) risks to humans (operators, residents, bystanders, people entering treated areas and those handling or eating treated items) and how these are exacerbated by factors such as smoking

b) symptoms of pesticide poisoning and first aid measures

c) risks to non target plants, beneficial insects, wildlife, biodiversity and the environment in general

3. notions on integrated pest management strategies and techniques, integrated crop management strategies and techniques, and organic farming principles; information on general and crop-specific standards on integrated pest management

4. initiation to comparative assessment at user level to help professional users make the most appropriate choices among all authorised products for a given pest problem, in a given situation

5. measures to minimise the risks to humans, non-target species and the environment: safe working practices for storing, handling and mixing pesticides, and disposing of empty packaging, other contaminated materials and surplus pesticides (including tank mixes), whether in concentrate or dilute form; recommended way to control operator exposure (personal protection equipment)

6. procedures for preparing application equipment for work, including its calibration, and for its operation with minimum risks to the user, other humans, non-target animal and vegetal species, biodiversity and the environment

7. use of application equipment and its maintenance, and specific spraying techniques

(e.g. low-volume spraying, low-drift nozzles), as well as the objectives of the technical check of sprayers in use and ways to improve spray quality

8. emergency action to protect human health and the environment in case of accidental spillage and contamination

9. health monitoring and access facilities to report on any incidents or unease

10. record keeping of any use of pesticides, in accordance with the relevant legislation.