Poorly-aimed aerial pesticide spray damaged wetlands, trees EPA says

Wetlands and trees were allegedly damaged in Moree in February by poorly-aimed aerial spray, the EPA said.

The EPA was alerted to the alleged by a resident who reported dead and dying leaves on his trees, on roadside trees and trees along the nearby travelling stock route.

The alleged spray drift spread over a substantial distance, the EPA alleged, damaging vegetation in the Gwydir wetlands two kilometres away.

Trees in the wetlands were found to have recent pesticide spray damage, with foliage dead or burnt off, along with patches of burnt grass, the EPA said.

The company has been fined $1,500 by the EPA for misuse of pesticides.

A separate incident outside Deepwater, 40 kilometres north of Glen Innes, has cost a Northern Tablelands landowner a $1,500 fine. The landowner was also issued an official caution for the incident, blamed for using a pesticide contrary to an approved label and damaging a neighbor's trees.

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The alleged incidents have triggered a reminder from the EPA that spray operators must follow safety protocols and use herbicides and pesticides responsibly.

EPA Director of Regulatory Operations Gary Whytcross said both parties had since undertaken to introduce measures to improve spray drift risk assessment and management.

He said pesticide procedures are critical to keep operators safe, as well as the community and the environment.

"Pesticides can harm the environment so all care must be taken to ensure pesticides are not used in unsuitable weather conditions that can result in the pesticides leaving the intended application site," he said.

"Safe pesticide use relies on users following the label, applying pesticides during the appropriate weather conditions and notifying neighbours of the spraying."

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