Chairman: Troy Stuart (A E Stuart and Sons)
Vice Chairman: Martin Hays (Martin W Hays)
This section represents those contractors who are
involved with general land or field-based operations, and encompasses
general agricultural contractors and specialist ground crop spraying
members.
Whilst many members have followed agriculture's
trend towards whole farm or share farming structure, there is
still a majority of contractors who work on a 'job by job' basis.
These range from 'one man bands' to larger businesses with many
employees operating over a number of counties.
General operations include cultivations, drilling,
harvesting of cereals, root crops and forage crops, hedge cutting
and manure spreading. The section also encompasses those contractors
involved with earthmoving, excavation and drainage work associated
with agricultural land and those who supply and spread agricultural
lime.
Specialist professionals involved in the application
of pesticides and liquid fertiliser to agricultural land are also
included within the Agricultural Operations section, covering
those engaged in ground-based and aerial application.
The section represents the interests of its members
at every regulatory level, and has worked tirelessly on their
behalf, particularly since the onset of the Food and Environment
Protection Act (FEPA) in 1985.
Representation covers all forms of legislation:
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) matters
- Proposals to the Control of Pesticides Regulations (COPR)
- Local Environmental Risk Assesment for Pesticides (LERAPS)
- Pesticide Tax issues
- Spraying technology
- Medical/toxicalogical matters
- Packaging and labelling
- Cleaning/disposal procedures
- Environmental Stewardship Scheme
This has involved close working relations with numerous government
departments, and other Agricultural Trade Associations.
The section also provides a UK wide service to DEFRA
to guard against any threat posed by Colorado Beetle to the Nation's
Potato Crop.
Within the section there are specialist representatives
on various issues.
To see a list of members and their contact details
according to their types of work, click on the relevant link below: