New assistant manager for the UK’s National Sprayer Testing Scheme

Ian Forman has taken up the role of Assistant Manager for the NSTS.  Before joining the NSTS team Ian managed a 2,300 acre arable farm in Norfolk, having previously studied at Writtle College in Essex.
 
NSTS Manager, Duncan Russell, said:  “We welcome Ian at a time when we are extremely busy and in the process of expanding the scheme.  His role has been created to manage and promote this expansion and Ian brings a lot of experience which will be very relevant to NSTS”.
 
Ian commented; "I'm looking forward to working with this important scheme. Having been involved with sprayers over the years in Norfolk I know how important it is to ensure equipment is properly checked and maintained. Regular maintenance and checks help ensure that the machine adds to environmental and public safety while ensuring that pesticides are applied accurately and on-target. I think the vast majority of farmers are aware of this and my role will be to ensure NSTS helps them do that."
 
Duncan Russell continues by saying “NSTS tests some 15,500 pieces of application equipment annually. With the coming requirements of the Sustainable Use Directive and expansion into the amenity sector we expect this number to increase substantially, hence the need for an Assistant Manager”.
 
The NSTS was originally the AEA Sprayer Testing Scheme.  NSTS was launched in 2003 having been devised by the UK sprayer industry with input from farmers and grower representatives, the chemical industry, contractors as well as crop assurance and super markets.
 
The comprehensive test covers all the application components of a sprayer to ensure the machine is working correctly and efficiently, capable of applying plant protection products on target with further considerations of safety for the sprayer operator and the environment.