Training & Best practice
Manufacturers of crop protection products must overcome an extremely rigorous and complex authorisation procedure that starts at European Union level and ends at Member State level. Both procedures are complicated and costly, and include a series of studies to ensure that the product is safe for the user, the consumer, flora and fauna, ground water and the environment in general. An important part of these studies and requirements is related to the safety of the users (farmers and their workers) and the preventive measures users must adopt for the correct handling of the product.
Greece www.safeuse.gr
Poland www.bezpieczne-stosowanie.psor.pl
Portugal www.cultivaraseguranca.com
Spain www.cosechavida.com
The transport of crop protection products is governed by regulations on the transport of hazardous goods by road. Agricultural products should be transported by people who are experienced and/or licensed transporting such products. Products should be transported in vehicles designed for this purpose.
The safe storage of pesticides on farms, forestry and crop spraying companies’ sites is essential to prevent contamination of operators and the environment. In order to safeguard health and safety there are decrees how crop protection products have to be stored. 
The preparation of the spray mixture calls for special precautions on the part of the operator. In addition to handling concentrated, undiluted products, there is a range of operations such as mixing and filling sprayer tanks that call for careful attention. 
The objective of applying a crop protection product is to resolve a particular plant health problem. Achieving this objective depends on various factors that must not be ignored. Incorrect application, in addition to wasting product, may cause additional problems in crops and lead to contamination of the operator and the environment. The recommenations given hereafter only highlight safety aspects. 
Post spraying, attention should be paid to the time delay before re-entering treated plots as well as the maintenance and cleaning of the equipment and the personal protective equipment. 
Pesticides contain active substances so should be handled with caution and used in a controlled way so that they do not harm operators applying the products, the environment or consumers. Negative effects of these products can be minimised when operators follow the instructions for use printed on the label, as well as the recommended protection and hygiene measures. 
