How the Sustainable Use (Pesticides) Directive will impact on the Retailer

• Professional Use or Amateur Use Products 

Plant Protection Products (PPPs) are categorized as either Professional Use or non-Professional  / Amateur Use products. Professional use products are products that may only be applied by Professional Users (PUs) who must be registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) from 26th November 2015. Non-Professional/Amateur use products are products that may be used in a home garden situation by any person. 

Labels generally indicate whether a product is for Professional use or non- Professional/Amateur but the status of all  registered products can be checked at   http://www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie/pest.asp?searchType=prod 

• Training & Registration

From 26th November 2015, a registered distributor must be available at all times at the point of sale to ensure that adequate information is provided to customers as regards pesticide use and health and environmental risk and safety.

In order to register as a Pesticide Distributor (PD), you must first be appropriately trained.

• Storage and Display

Wholesale and retail premises involved in the storage and distribution of PPPs must comply with specific requirements depending on the category of PPP being handled.

A maximum of 500 litres professional use plant protection products may be stored in a retail/display area.

• Advice

Advice given by a Pesticide Distributor is limited to general information regarding the risks  posed by pesticides to human health and the environment, on storage requirements   and on handling and safe disposal.

• Record keeping

Details of record keeping requirements for retailers of professional use plant protection products can be accessed  at     http://www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie/sud/pesticidedistributors/

Detailed information available from  http://www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie/sud/

Please contact Jim if you have any queries.

For training please see further information here.