NSW EPA’s Pesticide Compliance Campaigns on the North Coast

Key Takeaways:

1. Compliance Inspections: The NSW EPA is conducting pesticide compliance campaigns in the North Coast region, focusing on the Woolgoolga area near Coffs Harbour and the region near Ballina.
2. Environmental Protection Focus: These inspections aim to ensure responsible pesticide use, storage, and record-keeping, with a strong emphasis on protecting local waterways and the environment.
3. Previous Efforts and Results: Since 2021, over 40 inspections have been conducted in the Woolgoolga region, resulting in various enforcement actions, including penalty notices and formal warnings.
4. Ongoing Monitoring and Improvement: The EPA is revisiting previously inspected farms to ensure continued compliance and improvement in practices, including wastewater management and pesticide storage upgrades.
5. Community Engagement and Education: In addition to inspections, the EPA is engaging with local farmers and industry associations to raise awareness and educate about safe pesticide usage and compliance with the Pesticides Act.

Enhancing Environmental Stewardship Through Compliance

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is spearheading an important initiative to ensure the responsible use of pesticides among farmers in the North Coast region. This initiative, conducted throughout the summer, aligns with the peak of the growing season, making it a critical period for monitoring and enforcing environmental laws related to pesticide use.

Steve Orr, the EPA Director of Operations, elaborates on the strategy, highlighting that the focus is not only on compliance but also on education and collaboration with local farmers. The EPA’s approach includes inspecting intensive horticultural farms, particularly in Woolgoolga and Ballina. These inspections are crucial for verifying that farmers adhere to the required pesticide application, storage, and documentation standards, thereby safeguarding the environment and local water systems.

The EPA’s previous campaigns have yielded significant results. Since 2021, over 40 inspections have been carried out in the Woolgoolga region alone. These have led to various enforcement actions, including penalty notices, official cautions, and formal warnings, highlighting the seriousness with which the EPA views non-compliance. Notably, the EPA is focusing on punitive measures and revisiting farms to ensure ongoing compliance and improvements in agricultural practices.

Beyond inspections and enforcement, the EPA is actively working to foster a culture of compliance and environmental stewardship within the farming community. This includes engaging with farmers to understand their practices, providing resources and guidance, and partnering with local councils and grower associations. These efforts aim to increase awareness about the Pesticides Act and promote safer spraying practices, particularly during the summer months.

The NSW EPA’s pesticide compliance campaigns are vital to its broader mission to protect the environment while supporting sustainable agricultural practices. By balancing enforcement with education and collaboration, the EPA is making strides toward a more environmentally conscious and compliant farming sector in the North Coast region.

Image provided by The NSW EPA