26 June 2019: The Pesticides Risk Reduction Seminar provided a good opportunity for experts in OECD governments and stakeholders to share their knowledge, experience and possible concerns in the area of Evolving Digital and Mechanical Technologies for Pesticides and Pest Management.

1. Health and Safety
Executive
OECD Pesticide Risk Reduction
Seminar: Evolving Digital and
Mechanical Technologies for
Pesticides and Pest Management
Grant Stark
Chemicals Regulation Division

2. Health and Safety
Executive
The challenges, regulatory and policy
environment
• A new era for farming/pesticide use?
• Convergence of complementary technologies- hyper-
precision.
• Policy priorities for Governments/regulators:
- Improve sustainability.
- Promote domestic production, exports of products and
technologies.
- Ensure appropriate regulatory regime/environment.
• Unintended consequences – caution?
• Think about new ways of regulating.

3. Health and Safety
Executive
Drones – regulatory gaps and risk mitigation
• Is it aerial spraying? Legal, aviation authority views.
• Configuration of machinery – impact on drift (Fate and Behaviour,
Ecotox, Operators and Bystanders).
• Handling, filling and cleaning operations (Operators).
• Limited load capacity (Efficacy and Operators).
• Other areas of the risk assessment?
• Lessons learned, creating a regulatory environment:
- Importance of collaborative working.
- Elevated levels of support and flexibility (develop
strategies/detailed advice).
• Drone specific authorisations?
• Training of operators.

4. Thank you
Grant Stark
Pesticides Policy Team
0203 028 1261
grant.stark@hse.gov.uk