Pesticide Application Records (PA): UK Farm Compliance Guide (2026)
What UK farmers must record for every professional pesticide application — product, dose, area, date, operator, weather conditions — plus PA certificate rules and retention.
Quick answer: UK farmers must record every professional pesticide application — the product name and MAPP number, dose/rate, area and crop treated, date and time, operator (with their PA certificate), weather conditions, and reason for treatment. Records must be kept for at least 3 years and be available for HSE, Environment Agency, and Red Tractor inspection. Anyone applying professional pesticides needs the relevant PA certificate of competence. The rules come from the Plant Protection Products Regulations.
Why pesticide records matter
Pesticide application records protect food safety, the environment, and water sources. They evidence:
- Approved products used at approved rates for approved crops
- Harvest intervals observed (residues kept safe)
- Buffer zones respected (protecting watercourses)
- Competent, certified operators
- Compliance with Red Tractor and buyer requirements
What to record for every application
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product name + MAPP number | Confirms approved product |
| Dose / application rate | Amount per hectare |
| Area and field treated | Field ID, hectares |
| Crop | What was treated |
| Date and time | When applied |
| Operator | Name + PA certificate number |
| Weather conditions | Wind, temperature (drift control) |
| Reason for treatment | Target pest/disease/weed |
| Harvest interval | When the crop is safe to harvest |
PA certificates of competence
Anyone applying professional pesticides must hold the relevant certificate (or, if born after 31 December 1964, hold it themselves — the "grandfather rights" exemption ended). The PA certificate series:
- PA1 — foundation module (required before the others)
- PA2 — mounted/trailed boom sprayers
- PA6 — handheld applicators
- Other modules for specific equipment (granular, seed treatment, etc.)
Certificates are issued by City & Guilds / NPTC. Record the operator's certificate number in the application log.
The MAPP number
Every approved UK pesticide has a MAPP (Ministerially Approved Pesticide Product) number. Recording it confirms:
- The product is approved for use
- It's approved for that specific crop
- It's applied at the approved rate
Weather and drift control
Recording weather conditions matters because spray drift can damage neighbouring crops, harm wildlife, and contaminate water. Don't spray in high wind or unsuitable conditions, and record the conditions to demonstrate responsible application.
Buffer zones and watercourses
Many pesticides require buffer zones (LERAPs — Local Environmental Risk Assessment for Pesticides) to protect watercourses. Record the buffer applied. The Environment Agency takes water contamination seriously — metaldehyde and other products have faced restrictions over water pollution.
Retention
Keep pesticide application records for at least 3 years. Red Tractor and buyers may require longer. Available for HSE, Environment Agency, and assurance inspection.
Red Tractor and assurance
Red Tractor crop assurance requires complete pesticide records, certified operators, and approved storage. Poor records can suspend assurance status, affecting who'll buy your crop.
Common pesticide record mistakes
- Missing MAPP numbers
- Operator certificate not recorded or expired
- Weather conditions not logged
- Harvest interval not recorded or not observed
- Buffer zones (LERAPs) not documented
- Records not kept for the full 3 years
- Spraying without the required PA certificate
FAQs
Do amateur/garden pesticides need records?
The strict recording rules apply to professional products. Amateur products used domestically have lighter requirements, but farms should treat all applications professionally.
Can I keep pesticide records on farm software?
Yes — Gatekeeper, Muddy Boots, and similar farm software handle pesticide records and are widely used. Records must be complete and producible at inspection.
What's a LERAP?
Local Environmental Risk Assessment for Pesticides — a method to determine the buffer zone needed near watercourses based on the product, dose, and equipment. Record the LERAP assessment and buffer applied.
Do contractors keep their own records?
Spray contractors keep records, but the farm should also retain a copy. The application happened on your land and affects your crop and assurance status.
Related guides
- Cattle passports & BCMS: farmer's guide
- Animal movement records UK
- Veterinary medicine records for farms
- Pesticide application records (PA)
Last reviewed 2026-06-08 by Jamie Dawson, Editor.
