The National Farmers' Union is urging farmers not to delay sprayer testing or the completion of their crop protection management plans (CPMP).

Farmers have until the end of March to complete these tasks in order to meet this year's Voluntary Initiative (VI) targets.

It said farmers should ensure their sprayer has been tested with the last 12 months, that their CPMP has been renewed in the last year and using the updated forms, register their CPMP area either themselves or through an agronomist and register all NroSO points.

NFU pesticides advisor, Neil Kift, said: "We need a big push to make sure that targets for the areas covered by tested sprayers and CPMP are achieved.

“The government said in its pre-budget report that it will back the VI, provided we are able to deliver on the ground. In 2006 the government will make a lasting assessment on its viability and if we haven't proved we can make the VI work we face the prospect of the imposition of greater levels of time consuming red tape. Farmers must not leave this until the last minute."