REMINDER: Spray operators that use herbicides and pesticides – reminder to follow Safety Protocols

NSW EPA is reminding spray operators to follow safety protocols and use herbicides and pesticides responsibly to avoid impacting non-target crops and the environment.

The reminder comes after separate incidents, in February 2020, where wetlands and trees in Moree, NSW were allegedly damaged by aerial spraying and trees allegedly damaged at Deepwater 40 km north of Glen Innes, NSW.

NSW EPA was alerted to the alleged aerial overspray at Moree by a resident. Several trees two kilometres away in the Gwydir Wetlands were also found to have recent pesticide spray damage, with foliage dead or burnt off, along with patches of burnt grass.

The company responsible for this damage has been fined $1,500 by NSW EPA for misuse of pesticides. In addition, a Northern Tablelands landowner was also fined $1,500 and received an official caution for allegedly damaging a neighbour’s trees and using a pesticide contrary to an approved label.