Aragon warns that the use of drones to apply phytosanitary products without authorization is prohibited

He Government of Aragon He recalled that the use of drones to apply phytosanitary products is prohibited, unless there is a specific authorization. In general, current regulations prohibit any type of aerial application of these products, either by helicopters, planes or drones, except in exceptional situations, as collected in Royal Decree 1311/2012 on the sustainable use of phytosanitary products.

The current regulations require the presentation of a justifying memory that demonstrates the impossibility of carrying out the control of the plague by alternative means or, failing that, that argues the benefits that the aerial application would have in terms of public health or environmental impact.

Application equipment will have to be in perfect operating and maintenance conditions, to guarantee exact dosages. These teams must have passed the technical inspection established in the regulations.

Conditions for authorization

The regulations also establish the special conditions required so that the Autonomous Community can previously authorize the realization of aerial applications of phytosanitary products. To do this, the company responsible for carrying out the application must present an application plan, whose minimum content is determined in the Royal Decree, with issues such as the cultivation to be treated, harmful organisms object of treatment, phytosanitary products to be used and dosage.

It is also required justification for the unfeasibility of carrying out the plague control by other means or, where appropriate, of the advantages that the aerial application represents, from the point of view of human, environmental health, adequate waste management or economic benefit.