Agricultural aviators may lose their contracts if they spray fertiliser near lakes and rivers, the industry has been warned.
At a time when farmers are under pressure to keep rivers and lakes clean, aviation operators know they have to also keep agrichemicals out of waterways, says Agricultural Aviation Association executive officerJohn Maber.
It is only common sense that a client such as a farmer will rehire a good operator as opposed to a careless operator, he says.
"The real name of the game now is to have the minimum amount of fertiliser going into water and the aviation industry is doing its bit."
Keeping operators and pilots on their toes is the fact that some of their clients are regional councils, the same authorities that set conditions for the discharge of contaminants including fertilisers and agrichemicals.
The association introduced industry-based accreditation and audit programmes six years ago.
Today many of the 110 companies operating in New Zealand are accredited. They range from one-man outfits to large businesses.
Wyndon Aviation owner-operator Mark Watson says agriculture aviation operators should avoid discharge of fertiliser into waterways.
"Preventing fertilisers from entering waterways benefits farmers and the environment and can be avoided with good planning."
Agriculture aviators have to work with weather limitations, and when conditions are not suitable pilots have to stop topdressing and spraying operations.
Pilots are now much more aware of avoiding water entry from aerial drops, says Mr Maber.
"Ten years ago we wouldn't have thought of these issues. Everyone is more aware of them now."
