Welcome to ChemCert
Our mission
"To unite industry groups to ensure best practice across all commercial use of Ag/Vet chemicals, through innovative training and accreditation programs."
What's New
28/4/2009 News
Australian Spray Awards
In a bid to promote best practice, Syngenta, in partnership with Rural Press, has announced the launch of the inaugural SPRAY Awards.
SPRAY stands for Sustainable, Productive and Responsible Applicator of the Year. The competition will seek to identify Australia’s leading spray applicator.
The SPRAY Awards is a national competition open to ground and aerial applicators, including both growers and spray contractors.
The Awards represent a great opportunity to recognise the many thousands of Australian growers who are making sustainable and responsible use of crop protection products to enhance the productivity of their farms.
The Awards will run over the next few months, with State Winners being announced in June and Australia’s first “SPRAY”, the national champion, being announced at the AgQuip Field Days in Gunnedah NSW in August.
Australia’s SPRAY will receive a $15,000 study tour to the UK to help further their knowledge and to share experiences with global experts.
As an added benefit, all SPRAY Awards entrants will receive a free 12 month subscription to Syngenta’s Agricast Online Weather and Spray Window Forecasting Tool.
First round entries close Friday 29th May 2009. ChemCert is pleased to add support to these awards. If you would like to enter simply email info@chemcert.com.au for more information.
Investments go further using best practice strategies
Australian growers could make their crop protection investment go 60 percent further through focusing on best practice spray application.
Syngenta trials have revealed that only 40 percent of the overall performance of a crop protection product can be attributed to the product itself, with around 60 percent coming down to correct spray timing, equipment setup and nozzle selection.
According to Jason Sabeeney, Syngenta’s Technical Services Manager, growers and applicators adopting best practice strategies can not only optimise product performance and save money, but also greatly reduce the risk of products moving off target in either spray drift or runoff.
“Correct spray timing, equipment setup and nozzle selection is all about getting more of the product to the spray target,” Jason said.
“While there has certainly been a much greater focus on equipment setup and nozzle selection on Australian farms of late, for most growers there remain real opportunities to optimise spray results through adopting best practice.”
Growers and applicators embracing best practice strategies achieve more consistent results and are discovering they can safely and effectively spray under a wider range of conditions, giving them far greater flexibility.
2/4/2009 News
The Pesticides Regulation 1995 is due for automatic repeal on 1 September 2009. The Department of Environment and Climate Change is proposing that it be replaced by the Pesticides Regulation 2009.
DECC is not seeking to change the legal intent of the current Regulation; rather, it is proposing only minor changes to make the new Regulation more effective and efficient. These changes are summarised in the frequently asked questions
(09154pestregfaqs.pdf; 36 KB).
Download the proposed Regulation and Regulatory Impact Statement
(09131pestris.pdf; 822 KB) or call DECC's Environment Line on 131 555 for a printed copy.
Written submissions will be accepted up to the close of business on Friday 17 April 2009 and should be sent to:
If you have any questions with the proposed pesticide regulations or would like to make a submission please call the ChemCert Office on 9387 4714.
A new notice of approved units of competency is also open for public comment until Friday 17 April 2009.
8/1/2009 News
Farmcare recognised for professionalism and support in establishing leading Industry Weed Management training program.
Farmcare Training and ChemCert where chosen my the Agri-Foods Industry Skills Council (AFISC) and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) as the Registered Training Organisation to work with the Indigenous Community to develop and pilot an industry workplace training programme for indigenous trainees to assist them in gaining substantive employment in the agricultural, horticultural and natural resources sectors.
Farmcare Training and ChemCert were pleased to be selected as a key member of the industry steering committee responsible for developing the training resources, providing skilled and experienced trainers, monitoring training, assessing standards and competencies, and providing ongoing trainee support for the pilot program which was in partnership run with indigenous communities in Liverpool, Wyong and Katoomba areas of NSW.
The innovative pilot program worked to prepare the essential skills framework for an industry recognised Weed Management Pre-Vocational Sills Sets that would be able to be developed, produced and replicated across Australia by other Registered Training Organisations.
Farmcare Training and ChemCert were selected because for their depth of knowledge, skilled trainers and in recognition of many years of work in developing training resources and core role in setting industry standards for the safe and efficient use of pesticides (ag vet chemicals) in the workplace.
Farmcare Training is the Registered Training Organisation of ChemCert Australia. ChemCert is recognised as industry’s choice for all weed or chemical training, accreditation and registration.
You can contact Farmcare Training and ChemCert on phone 02 9387 4714 or email info@chemcert.com.au
If you would like a copy of the Weed Management Pre-Vocational Skill Set, you can download them from the AFISC website http://www.agrifoodskills.net.au/uploaded/file/TOOLKIT%20100708.pdf
Graduates with Farmcare Trainers from the highly acclaimed Weed Management skills course.
25/11/2008 News
New Newsletter - Spray Drift - it's avoidable
20/11/2008 News
Farmcare Training Pty Limited Chairman Mr Andrew Forrest is pleased to announce that Farmcare has been re-registered as a Registered Training Organisation until 2013.
Farmcare is delighted to be able to offer a full qualification, a Certificate II in Rural Operations (RTE20703). This together with our ChemCert Chemical Accreditation units means we can offer a variety of training packages, learning styles and tailored skills training programs to all sectors of industry who use agricultural and veterinary chemicals.
The Board of Farmcare would like to thank Chief Executive of Farmcare (actg) Mark Kunnen, Dean Rutledge (ChemCert Administration Officer), Luke Ringland (Policy and Operations Manager) and Anne Philips (Auditor) who together with Carmel Hong (ChemCert Director) worked to ensure that Farmcare’s registration and VETAB audit was successful.
The Farmcare board was pleased to see the recognition from VETAB of the extensive improvements and focus on quality training and assessment that the team worked so hard to achieve over the past six months.
Farmcare training can offer training in the following courses;
| RTE20703 | Certificate II in Rural Operations |
| RTC1701A | Follow basic chemical safety rules |
| RTC2706A | Apply chemicals under supervision |
| RTE20703 | Certificate II in Rural Operations |
| RTC1701A | Follow basic chemical safety rules |
| RTC2706A | Apply chemicals under supervision |
| RTC3704A | Prepare and apply chemicals |
| RTC3705A | Transport, handle and store chemicals |
| RTC4702A | Minimise risks in the use of chemicals |
| RTC4703A | Plan and implement a chemical use program |
| RTD4303A | Prepare safe operating procedures for calibration of equipment |
| RTD4403A | Develop a pest management action plan within a local area |
| RTD4405A | Coordinate the local pest management strategy |
| RTD4406A | Implement pest management action plans |
23/10/2008 News
New ChemCert/Selecta - Spraying Resource Brochure
Spraying Resources Brochure is available for download now. Please click here to download
30/10/2008 News from NSW
Member Thank you
Thank you to those who attended or arranged for proxies to represent you, the Board was delighted to have all members represented in person or by proxy.
Your attendance, contribution and advice was greatly appreciated. As the effort, costs of time and travel to attend the annual general meeting are considerable, the Board would like to acknowledge your commitment and support as we work together in refocusing our efforts for the future.
Annual General Meeting overview
- The minutes of the previous annual general meeting were confirmed.
- Mr Claude Gauchat and Mrs Carmel Hong were elected to the Board of directors.
- The Directors annual report and financial report were adopted.
- The new name of the company “ChemCert Limited” was adopted.
- The proposed Constitution as circulated was adopted with four minor changes
- Thomas Hopper and Partners were appointed as the company auditors.
Members Dialogue and Update
The Board is committed to regular member updates and would welcome any feedback, ideas or comments from members. Given the distance and commitment required to attend meetings in person the Board welcomes and would encourage members to participate in regular member teleconferences as we work together focused on our future.
ChemCert Limited Board
The Board met after the Annual General Meeting, Mr Andrew Forrest was confirmed as the Chairman for 2008/2009, and each director has undertaken areas of responsibility as we work together in growing our future.
The ChemCert Limited Board for 2008 / 2009 is;
Mr Andrew Forrest, Chairman
Mr Claude Gauchat with responsibility for Corporate Governance
Mrs Deborah Kerr with responsibility for Finance and Audit
Mrs Carmel Hong with responsibility for Training and Accreditation
Constitution
The Annual General meeting adopted the recommended Constitution changes as circulated to members with four amendments that were clarification or correction in nature.
The Board sees the Constitution as a living document that underpins the business model of ChemCert. In consultation with members, the Board will on a regular basis review the Constitution.
