Keep the dust in the bag

DIRK UYS, BAYER CROPSCIENCE

Seed treatment is one of the most targeted application methods for plant protection products. Professional procedures are used to apply the products to the seeds. To achieve a high degree of protection for the user and the environment, care has to be taken with dust, especially with the dust in the seed bag.

Dust always accompanies treated seeds. Dust can result from poorly cleaned seeds and/or from insufficiently fixed product on the seeds. Normally, it is a combination of both. Although industry works to achieve a low level of dust through the use of polymers and advanced seed treatment technology, best practice generally needs to be adopted when handling and sowing treated seeds to minimise contamination of the user and the environment.

Best practice – Keep the dust in the bag when loading the seed planter

Never load the dust from the bottom of the seed bag into the seed planter

Best practice – Waste management

Left-over dust in the bags should be collected and disposed of on the farm:

• Use a separate seed bag for the collection of dust.
• Carefully shake the dust out of the contaminated bags into the collection bag.
• Protect yourself by using gloves and a dust mask.
• Store the collection bag in a dry place and treat it as hazardous waste.

Left-over seeds should preferably be collected directly in the field:

• Use a separate bag or bucket for emptying the seed planter in the field.
• Transfer the left-over into an empty seed bag.
• Mark the bag with the left-over seeds accordingly.
• Store the bag in a dry place, out of the sun and away from heat.

Empty bags:

• Never burn empty bags (or left-over seeds) in the field.
• Cleaned, empty bags should be disposed of via the normal collection system for cleaned, empty pesticide containers.
• In the absence of a collection system, dispose of the empty bags via household waste.
• Always follow the local legislation.