There is a requirement for all Retailers of Pesticides (Professional and Amateur Products) to register with Department of Agriculture Food and Marine (DAFM) and have a Qualified Pesticide Distributor present during opening hours. At this time of year sales of Pesticides (Weedkillers, Fungicides and Insecticides) will be an important opportunity for many Hardware Retailers. These products are divided into two categories (1) Products used by professionals (Farmers and Landscape Maintenance Professionals), and (2) Amateur products that are used by Gardeners and Hobbyists. Regardless of whether your store sells Professional or Amateur Pesticides, the Department of Agriculture (DAFM) require all retailers of Pesticides to register their premises with DAFM.
Registration is a simple process – a registration form can be downloaded from the DAFM website – see link below or contact the DAFM on 01 6157552 www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie/sud/pesticidedistributors/
In addition, a member of staff who is a Trained Pesticide Distributor must be present whenever the retail outlet is open. The Pesticide Distributor must also be registered with the DAFM.
To be eligible to register as a Pesticide Distributor (Professional Use Products), a staff member must first successfully complete the FETAC Level 5 Handling and Distribution of Pesticides (Code 5N2466) or equivalent. Details can be found at: https://www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie/sud/ pesticidedistributors/training/
If your store only sells amateur products, you can qualify to sell these products using a short online course available from IASIS using the link below: https://iasis.ie/NPPD/NPPDInfo.aspx
These requirements are part of the European Union requirements contained in the Sustainable Use Directive (SUD). The SUD Directive (Directive 2009/128/EC) seeks to establish a framework to achieve a sustainable use of Pesticides by reducing the risks and impacts of pesticide use on human health and the environment. It introduced new requirements surrounding the advice on sale, storage, supply and use of Plant Protection Products (PPPs).
NB: In order to buy Plant Protection Products (PPPs), a premises must be registered with DAFM and a premises tracking number provided to your supplier. If you are unsure whether your premises is registered, please check with the register available on www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie/sud/pesticidedistributors/
