Farmers Reminded of Drone Spraying Rules

Agriculture Victoria is reminding farmers and contractors using drones for aerial spraying to ensure they comply with licensing and safety requirements.

The regulator says operators must hold the appropriate Agriculture Victoria authorisations and meet Civil Aviation Safety Authority regulations before conducting spraying operations.

Two licences are required: an agricultural aircraft operator licence for the business conducting the spraying, and a pilot chemical rating licence for anyone flying a drone to apply agricultural chemicals.

Agriculture Victoria says the rules are designed to protect people, livestock and crops, while ensuring chemicals are applied safely and according to label directions.

Among the conditions, drones must weigh less than 150 kilograms, operate only during daylight hours and allow pilots to intervene at any time rather than flying fully autonomously.

Operators are also required to follow label wind-speed restrictions and only use products approved for aerial or spot spraying, with authorities warning that agricultural chemical laws apply to drone operators in the same way as traditional aerial spraying contractors.