VTUA conducts inspections of sprayers

Since August 2016, the State Technical Supervision Agency (hereinafter – VTUA) has been carrying out inspections of plant protection product equipment, as the State Plant Protection Service has been certifiedhas been accredited, but the Latvian National Accreditation Bureau has accredited SIA “Center for Standardization, Accreditation and Metrology” for testing plant protection equipment.

VTUA currently carries out inspections of plant protection product equipment from four regional centers in Latvia: Limbaži, Kuldīga, Jelgava and Rezekne, thus covering the entire territory of Latvia:

– Kuldiga, phone: 28655128, e-mail: lauris.ozols@vtua.gov.lv

– Jelgava, phone: 28601120, e-mail: gints.silavs@vtua.gov.lv

– Limbaži, phone: 29284656, e-mail: raivis.pranis@vtua.gov.lv

– Rezekne, phone: 28395079, e-mail: arturs.sluka@vtua.gov.lv

VTUA carries out inspections of plant protection product equipment for mounted, trailed and self-propelled sprayers.

When applying for an inspection, the owner of the equipment provides all necessary information about the equipment by filling out Application and sending it electronically or submitting it in person at the nearest VTUA office. The application form can be found on the VTUA website www.vtua.gov.lv, under “Sprayer Inspections” or ask at the nearest designated VTUA office.

In order to perform a plant protection product equipment inspection, the equipment must first be prepared - the equipment itself and all water filtering elements (pressure line filter, suction line filter, section filters and nozzle filters) must be washed and rinsed, the equipment tank must be filled with clean water (half full if the equipment volume is less than 300 liters or at least 300 liters).

The inspection will provide the owner of the equipment with confidence that the amount of liquid sprayed does not exceed the specified amount and does not cause harm to the environment. If, after the inspection, the plant protection product equipment complies with the requirements of regulatory enactments, a certificate (sticker) is issued for three years.

Payment for the inspection of plant protection equipment from March 1, 2017 in all VTUA offices, but from July 3, 2017 also for services provided outside the office can be made ONLY by non-cash payment (bank card, internet banking payment, invoice). Inspection of plant protection equipment without engraving an identification number will cost the owner of the equipment 44.12 EUR, but with engraving an identification number – 54.85 EUR. Additional costs consist of payment in cash or by payment card 0.57 EUR and transport provision 0.57 EUR/km (round trip).

Source: VTUA