NSTS Testing Faults Walk-round

Presented by The Voluntary Initiative, NRoSO and NSTS

1 in 2 Sprayers put forward for testing have at least one fault - The Voluntary Initiative, NSTS and NRoSO are committed to ensuring responsible plant protection product use.

Join The Voluntary Initiative and NSTS in the Syngenta Sprays and Sprayers Arena at 12.30pm on both days of Cereals as they complete a walkaround on a demonstration machine and point out the most common test failure faults and the best ways to ensure your sprayer gets through the testing.

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NSTS: Ensuring Safe and Efficient Application Equipment

The National Sprayer Testing Scheme (NSTS) plays a crucial role in maintaining application equipment to the highest standard. Annual testing (if crop assured) ensures that sprayers are correctly calibrated, fully operational, and free from faults such as drips, leaks, or irregular spray patterns, all of which can lead to unnecessary environmental risk and financial loss.

Well-maintained sprayers not only protect surrounding habitats and watercourses but also ensure that plant protection products are applied efficiently and precisely, keeping input costs minimal and improving the return on investment for farmers and contractors.

Protecting Productivity and the Environment

Both NRoSO, NSTS and implementation of IPM are key components of the Voluntary Initiative’s integrated approach, delivering measurable benefits to operators, the wider industry, and the environment. Their continued use is essential to:

Promote safe, effective plant protection product use through an IPM-based approach
Support environmental stewardship
Minimise off-target contamination
Improve cost-efficiency of plant protection products
Demonstrate industry commitment to best practice and self-regulation

https://voluntaryinitiative.org.uk/

The Voluntary Initiative: Championing Integrated Pest Management

The UK’s plant protection industry is reaffirming its commitment to responsible plant protection product use through continued support for the Voluntary Initiative (VI), highlighting the central role of the National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSO) and the National Sprayer Testing Scheme (NSTS) in safeguarding environmental standards, promoting best practice, and supporting cost-effective crop production.

At a time of increasing scrutiny over plant protection product use and environmental protection, the Voluntary Initiative remains a cornerstone of the industry’s approach to sustainable farming. By encouraging proactive participation, encouraging an integrated pest management (IPM)-based approach and upholding high standards, the VI helps ensure that professional sprayer operators and growers remain compliant with legislation and exceed baseline requirements for stewardship.

https://www.nsts.org.uk/

NRoSO: Upholding Professional Standards Through CPD

The National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSO), administered by BASIS, is a vital tool for the professional development of sprayer operators. Through its structured Continual Personal Development (CPD) system, members are encouraged to stay updated with the latest in application techniques, environmental protection practices, and regulatory changes. CPD ensures operators remain competent and informed, which is essential for protecting water, wildlife, and public health.

Ongoing CPD activity also provides reassurance to both regulators and consumers that the industry is taking voluntary and effective action to promote responsible plant protection product use.

https://nroso.org.uk/