Regulatory authorities as well as many other public and private entities have conducted numerous studies for a variety of purposes related to spray drift.  These studies may focus on or characterize spray drift deposition, spray drift potential from different application equipment or spray adjuvants.  Additionally, there are test protocols (methods) for measuring spray drift potential.  The following links are to such studies posted by regulatory authorities on their websites.

 Belgium I  Germany I Netherlands I  UK

BELGIUM

Belgian research consortium: 

• Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO) - Technology & Food Sciences Unit - Agricultural Engineering (www.ilvo.vlaanderen.be)
  
  
• Catholic University of Leuven, Department Biosystems, MeBioS (www.biw.kuleuven.be/mebios)
  
  
• University Ghent, Department of Crop Protection (www.labofyto.ugent.be)

This Belgian research consortium has many years of experience with spray drift measurements (field, wind tunnel & PDPA laser) and drift models for field crop sprayers. The effect of spray application technique, crop characteristics, meteorological conditions, spray liquid properties and border structures on spray drift were studied using an integrated approach. Research results are disseminated through numerous scientific publications and presentations.

• Drift from field crop sprayers: The influence of spray application technology determined using indirect and direct drift assessment means:
  http://hdl.handle.net/1979/1047
  
  
• Drift reduction from field crop sprayers using an integrated approach (in Dutch):
  www.biw.kuleuven.be/aee/vcbt/drift
  
  

  
  Photo: APVMA

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GERMANY

Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) 

Information (in German) on JKI website 

• Measuring direct Drift when applying liquid Plant Protection Products outdoors
  
• Procedure for the registration of plant protection equipment in the chapter "drift" of the register "loss reducing equipment"
  
  

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NETHERLANDS

• Spray drift research in the Netherlands is done by Wageningen University and Research Centre. The Field Technology Group (former IMAG) of the Business Unit Agrosystems Research of Plant Research International (WUR-PRI) has the knowledge and capacity to do both field and laboratory research on spray drift. They have done numerous measurements which has led to the certification of spray drift reducing nozzles and application techniques which are listed on the website.    
  • http://www.helpdeskwater.nl/emissiebeheer/landbouw_en_veeteelt/lotv/technische_commissie/?ActItmIdt=4843
  • http://www.helpdeskwater.nl/emissiebeheer/landbouw_en_veeteelt/lotv/driftarme-doppen/ (download ‘Lijst driftarme spuitdoppen’)
  • http://www.pri.wur.nl/UK/research/agrosystems/
  • http://www.pri.wur.nl/UK/research/research+facilities/Spraying+laboratory/
  • http://www.pri.wur.nl/UK/research/research+facilities/Laser+technique+for+measuring+droplet+size+spectrum/
    
    
• Protocol how to measure spray quality of spray nozzles to certify for low drift status of nozzles in the Netherlands (PDF document in Dutch)
  http://www.helpdeskwater.nl/algemene-onderdelen/kennisdesk/?ActItmIdt=2038
  
  
• Nozzle classification in drift reduction classes 50%, 75%, 90%, 95% reduction compared to a reference nozzle is based on spray quality measurements according to the above protocol with additional spray drift calculations of these measured spectra as input with the IDEFICS spray drift model. Classification is done relative to a standard situation.
  
  
• Protocol how to measure spray techniques in the field to certify for drift reducing technology status and classification in drift reduction classes: CIW 4 2003-04 Beoordelingsmethodiek emissiebeperkende maatregelen Lozingenbesluit open teelt
  http://www.helpdeskwater.nl/algemene_onderdelen/kennisdesk/?ActItmIdt=1458 (in Dutch)
  

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UNITED KINGDOM

Health and Safety Executive, Chemicals Regulation Directorate (Pesticides)
www.pesticides.gov.uk

• Accreditation for LERAP low drift status spray equipment comment
  

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
www.defra.gov.uk

Research:

• PS2001 Assessing the validity of current approaches for calculating off-crop exposure to pesticides;
  
  
• PS2011 Aquatic buffer zones in the UK - the potential to extend the existing LERAP scheme for boom sprayers;
  
  
• PS2015 Additional field spray drift data for the buffer zone review;
  
  
• PS2017 Field spray drift studies to mature winter cereal crops with modern application practices to inform policy on setting of buffer zones in the UK;
  
  
• PS2019 Low drift rating of broadcast air-assisted sprayers for UK horticulture: a review to establish LERAP reduced drift status;
  
  
• PS2020 Identifying methods of controlling spray drift when using increased boom heights;
  
  
• PS2022 Additional field spray drift studies with modern application practices to inform policy on setting of buffer zones in the UK.