The Ministerial Decree determines the drift reduction agents or measures referred to in Article 9, 4° of theRoyal Decree of 19 March 2013 to achieve the sustainable use of plant protection products and additives.

Ministerial Decree amending the Ministerial Decree of 1 April 2021 laying down drift reduction agents ormeasures

This draft Ministerial Decree (MD) aims to further expand the list of recognised drift-reducing agents ormeasuring rain. Article 9, 4° of the Royal Decree of 19 March 2013 on achieving the sustainable use of plantprotection products and adjuvants stipulates that drift reduction agents or measures may be used to reducebuffer zones and that the Minister may determine which ones are eligible for this purpose. The MinisterialDecree of 1 April 2021 lays down these agents and measures.

As new drift reduction agents and measures are constantly being developed, it is necessary to update this liston a regular basis. A first update was made last year. This draft Ministerial Decree again includes an update ofthe annex to the Ministerial Decree of 1 April 2021 laying down the drift-reducing agents or measures.
The current reprocessing is rather limited, focusing on adding ‘flat fan’ nozzles for tire spraying and the use ofhedges as drift-reducing measures in horizontal crops. Previously, hedges were only permitted as a drift-reducing measure in orchards/hop cultivation. No funds or measures were withdrawn compared to theprevious update of 2 February 2024. The drift reduction rate of the already recognised agents or measureswas thus at least maintained, or in some cases extended to a higher drift reduction rate; in addition, new driftreduction agents and measures were added.