Inspectors from the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) in North Brabant and Zeeland are doing an aerial survey to check if growers adhere to regulations for the use of pesticides. During the first three 'environmental flights' of this year, four fines were handed out: two for spraying near open ditches and two for working without a license. The NVWA and water management officials plan to focus increasingly on the application of pesticides this Spring, as improper use is very harmful to the environment.
Inspectors in the air will make regular flights to ensure that the correct product is used. Further investigation involves improper application of the mandatory low-drift spraying technique, not enough distance to ditch water and other such violations. Water management will be checking the water itself for contamination.
The rules are intended to protect the health of humans, animals and the environment. Entrepreneurs who break the rules will be fined, or cut back on designated funding. Misuse of pesticides, officials state, can cause resistance leading to less effective agents against diseases or pests.
Source: NVWA