Pesticide Drift

Pesticide Drift

Pesticide drift can leave residues on adjacent crops, be a hazard to nearby people and livestock, and reduce the amount of material in the target area so that it is ineffective. People applying pesticides should make every effort to minimize or prevent pesticide spray drift by doing one or more of the following:

• being aware of the toxicity of the pesticide being used
  
• read the label
  
• use buffer strips around water courses and neighbouring fields
  
• select the correct water rate
  
• proper nozzle selection
  
• be aware of the weather conditions
  
• spray plume protection (hoods, shrouds, screens and air curtains)
  
• use drift reducing adjuvants
  
• utilize wick weeders
  
• select the correct nozzle-to-target distance
  
• don't spray if conditions are not suitable

Growers are responsible for any material discharged from their sprayers no matter where it is found. This includes liability for adverse affects such as damage to crops or to ornamental plants and illegal or unacceptable residue on neighbours' crops or property. You could also be responsible for injury resulting from car accidents caused by windows smeared by spray drift or allergic or asthmatic reactions of bystanders even if they are not on your property. Take all precautions necessary to prevent drift off site that might implicate you in any damaging action.

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