Compiled and checked by experts, this article on buffer zones, provides advice and explanations to help operators protect water, insects and wildlife and keep on the right side of the law.
This definitive guide, first printed in Pro Operator, has been updated exclusively for EiO members. An essential information resource, it will be quickly updated if and whenever the rules change, to help you to meet your legal obligations and follow best practice.
Text and drawings by Matthew Horne, a sprayer operator and qualified instructor.
NOTE:
This article can also be accessed as an online training course worth 2 NRoSO and 2 BASIS points. If you wish to read the same content, but be able to sit the test, go to the EiO TRAINING section.
Buffer zones protect water
The Code of Practice for the Use of Pesticides requires all operators to undertake an Environmental Risk assessment before spraying to prevent products contaminating non-target areas.
Statutory rules on pesticide use also require all operators to undertake a Local Environmental Risk Assessment for Pesticides – LERAP – prior to spraying applicable products near water.
Many pesticides now have a minimum buffer zone that must be adhered to when applying next to watercourses. Some buffers are legally required, while others are voluntary or a requirement of a stewardship scheme.
There are now four schemes:
- LERAP A and B
- Interim Scheme
- Drift Reducing Technology (DRT)
- Arthropod buffer zones
The rules are legally binding for the use of most products. If you breach the regulations it could result in enforcement action, including prosecution of the operator and/or employer.
It is a statutory requirement that LERAP records are produced and kept. Operators must record their LERAP and keep it for three years. If, however, you just apply the buffer zone specified on the label you don’t have to carry out a LERAP. But you are still legally obliged to record this decision as normal in your spray records.
Some buffers, however, are voluntary or a requirement of a stewardship scheme. It is important operators recognise these and follow the guidance to protect the future use of products.
What is a buffer zone?
A buffer zone is simply a minimum distance required between the intended target and the top of the bank of an adjacent watercourse, boundary, margin or hedge.
Non-cropped areas, such as field edge grass strips as well as cross compliance strips can be included in the buffer zone requirements.
To determine the minimum size of buffer zone required between a crop and water body operators should undertake a Local Environmental Risk Assessment for Pesticides (LERAP) for a product being applied near to water when it is required. Although a LERAP can be undertaken relatively easily, a series of changes to the overall requirements for no-spray buffer zones alongside water have been introduced on product labels during the past five years.
What is the watercourse width?
The width of a watercourse is classified as being either less than 3m, 3-6m, or more than 6m. The wider the watercourse the greater reduction in the buffer zone that can be applied to the adjacent field.
Importantly, the buffer zone distance required is always measured from the top of the bank NOT the edge of the water in the watercourse. Operators should always check watercourses before spraying.
Read the label
The requirement to undertake the LERAP will be clearly stated on the specific product’s label.
This means it’s vital to always read the label to determine the specific LERAP requirements, other specific warnings and advice to ensure they are applied with a suitable buffer zone, if required.
LERAP A and B
Although the Chemical Regulations Directorate (CRD) has not classified products with this method for more than five years, these classifications are still commonly found on product labels. It is likely that they will remain on some products into the future. It is, therefore, important that operators are aware of what they mean.
The LERAP A and B scheme was undertaken on a product basis and so the buffer zone requirement will be the same for all crops on the product label. After carrying out a LERAP assessment the buffer zones may be reduced in certain circumstances and following set conditions, which must be recorded.
LERAP A
A 1m buffer zone may also be used with a LERAP A product if it is applied with a handheld applicator and this is a permitted method given on the label. This may also apply in other LERAP schemes.
Non-cropped areas, such as field edge grass strips or cross compliance strips can be included in the buffer zone.
LERAP B
With a product classified as Category B it is possible to reduce the buffer zone width from 5m to 1m by undertaking a LERAP. The requirement to undertake the LERAP will be clearly stated on the specific product’s label.
Can be reduced to 1m if:
- Ditch is dry at the time of application
- LERAP 3* rated nozzles are used
- ¼ maximum dose rate
Can be reduced to 2m if:
- Width of watercourse ˃6m
- LERAP 2* rated nozzles are used
In both the LERAP A or B Scheme and the Interim Scheme it is possible to reduce the buffer zone to 1m if the ditch is dry at the time of application.
Interim (Aquatic) Scheme
The Interim (Aquatic) Scheme extends the original scheme and introduces the use of buffer zones greater than 5m and up to 20m, with the aim of protecting water.
Under the Interim Scheme buffers are set on a crop by crop basis, so there may be different buffer zone widths for different crops for the same product. These will be stated on the label.
If the label states the required buffer zone for the crop is less than, or equal to 5m, it is possible to reduce the width, after carrying out a LERAP and complying with certain conditions.
Can be reduced to 1m after carrying out a LERAP if:
- Ditch is dry at the time of application
- LERAP 3* rated nozzles are used
- ¼ maximum dose rate
Can be reduced to 2m after carrying out a LERAP if:
- Width of watercourse ˃6m
- LERAP 2* rated nozzles are used
Watercourse width
The width of watercourse is classified as being either less than 3m, 3m-6m, or more than 6m. The wider the watercourse, the greater reduction in the buffer zone that can be applied to the adjacent field.
Importantly, the buffer zone distance required is always
Cut the dose to narrow the buffer
It is possible to reduce the permitted buffer zone width by also decreasing the dose rate. Note, where a dose rate reduction is used to narrow the buffer zone in the LERAP, the same product cannot be applied to the same area within 48 hours.
As the tables below show, using LERAP approved nozzles also provide the potential to further reduce the buffer, where permitted on the label.
For products classified as LERAP B and those with a reducible 5m buffer zone in the Interim (Aquatic) Scheme the use of low drift nozzles (1, 2 or 3 star-rated) can reduce the buffer zone size, irrespective of the size of the watercourse or product dose rate.
However, where LERAP-rated, low drift nozzles are used to reduce buffer zones operators need to ensure they continue to use these nozzles to spray the crop for a minimum of 12m from the top of the bank of the watercourse.
Interim (Aquatic) Scheme – 6m to 20m buffers
If the product label states an Interim (Aquatic) Scheme buffer zone of between 6m to 20m non-reducible it cannot be reduced. The buffer distance can vary depending on the crop.
When you are sure that you have noted the key points, you are ready to complete the first LERAPs test. This is followed by a final Lesson on drift reduction and arthropod buffer zones, followed by the last set of test questions.
Drift and wildlife
Drift Reduction Technology (DRT) Scheme
With a combination of unreducible buffer zones and LERAP 3* rated nozzles, the Drift Reduction Technology (DRT) scheme permits the use of products that would otherwise be unable to gain regulatory approval under other LERAP schemes.
Under this scheme a non-reducible buffer zone of 6m, 12m or 18m will be given on the product label on a crop by crop basis. It also requires the use of LERAP 3* rated drift reduction nozzles for a distance of up to 30m from the top of a bank.
Operators need to check the label carefully because the DRT Scheme sets crop specific buffer zones. It is possible a single product could have different zone widths for different crops – like the Interim Scheme.
If a tank mix contains products with different zone widths, you must always comply with the label with the most restrictive conditions.
- Use of LERAP 3* nozzles and operating conditions up to 30m from any watercourse
- Non-reducible 6m, 12m or 18m compulsory DRT buffer no-spray zone
- 30m secondary buffer zone – reducible using LERAP 3* nozzles
- Applies irrespective of watercourse size and width
It is important to read labels very carefully: first to identify whether a DRT buffer is necessary and then the width required for the specific crop.
Arthropod buffer zones
The Arthropod buffer zone scheme has been introduced to protect insects and wildlife in uncropped land. It applies to all boundaries such as permanent grass margins and hedges. Read the label carefully and know how to understand and interpret the instructions. The details will be explained in the ‘Directions for Use’ section of the label.
Some buffer zones are compulsory, which means they must be adhered to (statutory) to comply with the conditions of use.
A ‘statutory’ buffer is required for a product deemed a high risk to non-target species. The key words to look for in this instance are ‘Respect’ and ‘Do Not’.
If the buffer zone is ‘Advisory’ – it’s recommended to use a buffer zone to protect non-target species. Key words here are ‘Avoid’ and ‘Precautions’.
The buffer zones are measured from the edge of the uncropped land. The cropped area can include managed grass margins, wild flower margins and conservation headlands, which are commonly found on field margins. However, the cropped area does not include the 1m or 2m cross compliance area, the edge of which may form the non-cropped area.
- Check if buffer is ‘Statutory’ or ‘Advisory’
- Buffer zone widths vary with the crop type
- Buffer zones are non-reducible
- Buffer zone is measured from the edge of the uncropped land
In the Arthropod Scheme, the cropped area can include managed grass margins, wild flower margins and conservation headlands, which are commonly found on field margins.
If you would like to download a PDF of a sample LERAP record card, click here:
Further Reading:
We strongly suggest you read and become familiar with the content in the following external links. This official information will ensure you have a good understanding of the issues.
Step by Step guide to LERAP assessments on the Health and Safety Executive website . Access HERE
Explanation of Category A & B, also on the Government website HERE
Authorised products with aquatic buffer zone restrictions HERE
We also recommend you search for officially recognised LERAP low drift rated equipment HERE
