Applicant Name and Address

APPLICATION PLAN FOR THE AERIAL SPRAYING OF PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS (BRACKEN CONTROL WITH ASULAM) IN ENGLAND AND WALES

Applicant name and address:

Date: [APPLICANT TO ADD]

Dear Sir/Madam

REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF APPLICATION PLAN TO AERIALLY SPRAY PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS; AND REQUEST FOR PERMISSION TO AERIALLY SPRAY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THAT APPLICATION PLAN (SUBJECT TO IT GAINING APPROVAL)

I seek approval of the Application Plan below, to aerially apply plant protection products to land at the locations detailed in the Appendix/ces to this letter.

APPLICATION PLAN

I will ensure that spray jobs are conducted in accordance with the following conditions:

 The product to be applied shall be Asulox (MAPP 13175), containing the active substance asulam, authorised under NANUM 1000 of 2017.

 Operators carrying out the aerial spraying will hold specified training certificates. The certificate number(s) is/are: [APPLICANT TO ADD].

 The Civil Aviation Authority Certificate Number(s) for the aircraft undertaking the spray is/are: [APPLICANT TO ADD].

 The aircraft will be fitted with accessories which constitute the best available technology to reduce spray drift. Equipment shall be certified to the aircraft to be used. The operational length of the booms will not exceed the aircraft’s rotor diameter. The equipment will be configured and operated to reduce drift to the very minimum by producing fines of less than 1% of output. No nozzles other than Penciljets, RA Raindrop sizes 10 through 15 or RD Raindrop (all sizes) will be used. Boom pressures will not exceed 2 bars in the case of Penciljets and RD Raindrop nozzles and 1 bar in the case of RA Raindrop nozzles. The spray equipment will be equipped with a spray gauge that is visible to the pilot at all times and the aircraft will also be equipped with a GPS tracking system.

I will ensure that the landowner is aware of, and ensures that spray jobs are conducted in accordance with, the following conditions:

Chemicals Regulation Division – Protecting the health of people and the environment  Appropriate measures are put in place to forewarn members of the public in good time where areas are to be treated (for example, the use of robust and legible warning signs at an appropriate distance);

 That spraying to protected areas is done in accordance with the terms of any existing nature conservation consent or management agreement which specifically covers aerial spraying. Spraying shall comply with any additional conditions identified by HSE as necessary and attached to any Permit issued following consideration of this Application Plan;

 Risks to water are assessed and mitigated appropriately, and in accordance with information collected from the environmental regulator, local water company and/or local authority as appropriate.

I will ensure that the pilot is aware of, and ensures that spray jobs are conducted in accordance with, the following conditions:

 Aircraft are maintained at a:

- Height of not less than 200 feet from ground level when flying over an occupied building and its curtilage;

- Horizontal distance of 60m from any occupied building and its curtilage, children’s playground, sports ground, or building containing livestock. This may be reduced to 30m with the express written consent of the occupier; and/or

- Height of not less than 250 feet above ground level over any motorway and not less than 100 feet above ground level over any public highway. This restriction does not apply if the motorway or public highway has been closed.

 Spraying outside a protected (nature conservation) area will have a 50m precautionary buffer zone along the boundary of the protected site, unless advised otherwise as a result of HSE’s consideration of this Application Plan.

SUPPORTING DECLARATION

In support of the above Application Plan, I declare that:

 The following range of alternative methods of control have been considered and deemed inappropriate:

- Cutting/crushing/rolling is unsuitable, as perennial vegetation is critical to the site(s) or birds are nesting and/or fledging there. This is an established site(s) which requires an intensive control regime. Use of powered cutters to control frond re-growth will risk damage to soils and vegetation;

- Manual knapsack spraying is unsuitable due to the size of the treated area(s).

2  Aerial application offers advantages in terms of minimising risks to human health due to the sloping or uneven terrain in remote locations, which make it unsuitable for land-based application. The topography would significantly increase the risks to operators which are associated with handling of the equipment, handling and storage of chemicals and washing of equipment;

 The information contained herein is true and reflects my best understanding of the circumstances relating to these spray jobs at this time;

 I will advise HSE of any circumstances which may necessitate the review, withdrawal or amendment of the Application Plan or spray jobs permitted under it, in the event that I obtain approval of this Application Plan and permission for those spray jobs from HSE.

Yours faithfully

3 Appendix A

Land neither in nor within 150m of a protected area

Applicant Ref County Map refs Provisional date and Amount of product time (Asulox) to be applied (litres)

4 Appendix B

Land in a protected area

5 Appendix C

Land within 150m of a protected area