Disposal of drench solutions

Information on the disposal of fungicidal drench solutions is no longer applicable as  no products are approved for this use in the UK.

In addition to fungicide dips and drenches, this section of the guide previously provided guidance on the post-harvest applications of calcium products to apples in a similar dip or drench method. However, this too is no longer practised in the industry and no calcium products appear to have recommendations for this type of application any longer.

There is an increasing use of biological agents to control disease and in future, it is possible that these may be used as post-harvest applications. The information below has therefore been retained in this section should further approvals be released for any form of post-harvest application.

The  Groundwater Regulations complete the implementation of the Groundwater Directive (Protection of Groundwater against pollution caused by certain dangerous substances – 80/68/EEC). Implementation of the Regulations helps prevent pollution of groundwater by controlling discharges or disposals of certain dangerous substances, including pesticides, where they are not already covered by existing legislation.
A drenching unit contains approximately 1,000 litres and will treat on average 300 bins of fruit. Each bin will take out about two litres of solution, leaving about 400 litres to dispose of for each change. Disposal should be by one of the following methods:

• Place redundant solution in a suitable container pending collection by a registered waste disposal company for transport to a licensed waste disposal facility.
• Use suitable equipment designed to treat liquid waste containing pesticides, such as a Sentinel.
• Disperse on an area of land that has been authorised by the Environment Agency for the purpose. Authorisations must be subject to ‘prior investigation’. Information provided by the applicant will form the basis of this ‘prior investigation’, to assess whether the activity is acceptable. In most cases it is anticipated that the information provided, together with any already held by the Agency will be sufficient to determine the application.