Environment
The Thematic Strategy on the sustainable use of pesticides was adopted in 2006 by the European Commission, together with a proposal for a Framework Directive on the sustainable use of pesticides. It aims to fill the current legislative gap regarding the use-phase of pesticides at EU level through setting minimum rules for the use of pesticides in the Community, so as to reduce risks to human health and the environment from the use of pesticides.
The implications brought about by this directive are far reaching, which is why it was one of the central points considered in the design of the Weedfree on Track spray train. Whereas conventional, archaic spraying methods are generally limited in scope, the Weedfree On Track spray train is fully bespoke and can easily be customised to meet the demands of an ever changing climate.
Through the utilisation of weed mapping, the Weedfree on Track spray train directly meets all the criteria laid out in the strategy on the sustainable use of pesticides and ensures that the environmental impact created by the train is kept to a minimum at all times.
If you would like to read more on the Thematic Strategy on the sustainable use of pesticides, please visit this link on www.pesticides.gov.uk
Environmental Benefits
- Where as previous systems could only treat 100-200km per day, by operating at higher speeds the new spray system can effectively treat up to 400km of track per day reducing an overall carbon footprint.
- This higher speed leads to reduction in total labour cost and a reduction in chemical usage
- The substantial reduction in chemical greatly reduces the environment impact & pollution risk
Conventional Spray Train Residual Comparison
The savings that the new spray train offers can really be reflected when comparing figures from an old conventional spray train over the same areas of track:-
| YEAR | RESIDUAL USAGE | SPRAY TECHNIQUE |
| 2007 | 20,000 | Conventional |
| 2008 | 11,514 | Weed Mapping |
| 2009 | 9,967 | Weed Mapping |
| 2010 | 8,944 | Weed Mapping |
Herbicide Usage Spray Technique Comparison
The actual effectiveness of the new spray train can really be seen when comparing usage amounts from a conventional spraying train used prior to 2008.
Using the same application rates over equal periods, the new train achieved a 77% reduction in usage.
This speaks volumes for the effectiveness of the weed mapping and spot treatment systems used by the new train.
Weed Mapping Usage Comparison
2009 marked the first year where the previous years weed maps were used and as such, an 18% reduction in broad leaf herbicide usage was achieved year on year.
In 2010 a 33% reduction was achieved in usage which accounts for the quality of kill that the train attained in the previous two years, along with the accuracy and quality of mapping.
These data findings have now been reproduced, year on year in more than one country. As such, we are confident that through the introduction of weed maps, a client can expect to see upwards of a 30% usage reduction within a two year period.
Efficacy
The spray train is calibrated annually by the Belgian National Environment Ministry to ensure it to complies with the current European legislative policies.
This guarantees that the train outputs the exact amounts that each report states ensuring a high level of accuracy is maintained throughout each spray year.
Accreditations
- ISO 9001 quality management assured
- ISO 14001 environmental management assured
- ISO 18001 Health & Safety management assured
- BASIS herbicide spraying registered within the UK
