Tender to operate NRoSO?

[Chris F]

Given I am in the media I would have thought this would have landed on my desk, but first I heard of it was on Facebook. Have looked and can;t see any mention on here.

There is a tender out to run - announced on 4th July and bids have to be in 1st August. Given all the complaints on here - anyone fancy running it?

Details:

The VI (Voluntary Initiative) is inviting bids from companies interested in operating its National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSO) scheme. The closing date is 1 August, read more about the scheme here, including how to apply.

UK agriculture is about to enter a period of rapid change, which will include an increased focus on environmental stewardship.

An updated version of the government’s National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides, which aims to increase uptake of sustainable crop protection, is expected to be released later this year.

Testing the market​

The VI has decided that the time is right to test the market, to ensure that the NRoSO scheme is providing the best possible service to its members, their employers and the VI, and that it is delivering value for money.
The NRoSO scheme has operated since 2003 and is open to anybody who holds an appropriate certificate of competence qualification approved by the CRD (Chemicals Regulation Division) for the safe application of pesticides.

Proof of competence​

NRoSO membership is a requirement of many farm assurance schemes and supermarket protocols and scheme membership can also demonstrate that operators meet their legal obligations around the use of professional plant protection products.

The NRoSO scheme’s central register is based on recording Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and a target of CPD points must be met to remain a registered member.

The VI is an industry-led programme, with partners drawn from across the agricultural sector including the NFU as a sponsor.

Best practice​

Its mission is to be the UK’s primary independent delivery mechanism for promoting best practice in the responsible use of professional plant protection products, in order to protect water and the environment, through enhanced adoption of an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) approach to sustainable agriculture.

Bidding information​

Any companies or organisations interested in bidding to manage and operate the NRoSO scheme should contact Neal Evans at the Voluntary Initiative via [email protected] to receive an invitation to tender.
The closing date for receipt of bids is Monday 1 August.

Find out more​

You can find out more about the VI at voluntaryinitiative.org.uk.

 

[Boysground]

Have you not asked @Clive if he fancies a go

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[Drillman]

Wouldn’t surprise me if red tractor didn’t tender for it.

I also understand the residents of the monkey enclosure at Chester zoo are putting an attractive tender document together!

 

[Clive]

Have you not asked @Clive if he fancies a go

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my solution would be to get rid of it - no legal requirement here, people with driving license a don’t need to keep having driving lessons and i dint know of a single import competitor country that has equivalent requirement?


just more red tape and cost for uk farmers that only benefits the ag gravy train and helps maintains the illusion that they are protecting us from far worse


DEFRA have a operators register now which surely makes NROSO irrelevant now

 

[Chris F]

Wouldn’t surprise me if red tractor didn’t tender for it.

I also understand the residents of the monkey enclosure at Chester zoo are putting an attractive tender document together!

Red Tractor or NFU both seem likely as they already outsource all the NRoSO IMP info to NFU.

I am reading the tender at the moment - it involves re-building all the systems and putting in place proper operational controls. It's a big ask for anyone and will require significant investment. Which it needs as service at the moment is woeful.

Big question I have is why the VI don't just bring it in house? Why not just run it themselves?

(I have asked them this, by the way).

 

[Bipper]

The language isnt really encrouaging to potential suppliers, saying they are "testing the market", only giving a month to do it suggest they have no intention of changing but want to be seen to be getting value.

If they were serious they would allow far more time to pull a bit together, if it really is important then less than a month in the middle of summer is not good enough. I havent seen the invitation to tender, but woudl it would need a fair bit of info from the current supplier to get an understanding of the work involved.

 

[robs1]

Boris and carrie are looking for new jobs


What could go wrong

 

[Chris F]

The language isnt really encrouaging to potential suppliers, saying they are "testing the market", only giving a month to do it suggest they have no intention of changing but want to be seen to be getting value.

If they were serious they would allow far more time to pull a bit together, if it really is important then less than a month in the middle of summer is not good enough. I havent seen the invitation to tender, but woudl it would need a fair bit of info from the current supplier to get an understanding of the work involved.

To design and cost a system in 30 days is a bit ridiculous. It’s now 20 days to go.

I too noted complete lack of details from current system. Which massively increases the risk of the project.

 

[chipchap]

The best thing that could happen is for somebody even more incompetent to run it into even more of an administrative shambles.

Then cease.

 

[Salopian_Will]

While the operation of NROSO leaves plenty to be desired, calling for its abolition is a non-starter. It is not quite as black and white to say that it is not a legal requirement - I am pretty sure there is something somewhere, probably deriving from EU law, that requires all users to have continued training. While some non-EU countries may not require it, I find it hard to argue against something that demonstrates that we are as an industry, using plant protection products professionally.

 

[warksfarmer]

Given I am in the media I would have thought this would have landed on my desk, but first I heard of it was on Facebook. Have looked and can;t see any mention on here.

There is a tender out to run - announced on 4th July and bids have to be in 1st August. Given all the complaints on here - anyone fancy running it?

Details:

The VI (Voluntary Initiative) is inviting bids from companies interested in operating its National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSO) scheme. The closing date is 1 August, read more about the scheme here, including how to apply.

UK agriculture is about to enter a period of rapid change, which will include an increased focus on environmental stewardship.

An updated version of the government’s National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides, which aims to increase uptake of sustainable crop protection, is expected to be released later this year.

Testing the market​

The VI has decided that the time is right to test the market, to ensure that the NRoSO scheme is providing the best possible service to its members, their employers and the VI, and that it is delivering value for money.
The NRoSO scheme has operated since 2003 and is open to anybody who holds an appropriate certificate of competence qualification approved by the CRD (Chemicals Regulation Division) for the safe application of pesticides.

Proof of competence​

NRoSO membership is a requirement of many farm assurance schemes and supermarket protocols and scheme membership can also demonstrate that operators meet their legal obligations around the use of professional plant protection products.

The NRoSO scheme’s central register is based on recording Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and a target of CPD points must be met to remain a registered member.

The VI is an industry-led programme, with partners drawn from across the agricultural sector including the NFU as a sponsor.

Best practice​

Its mission is to be the UK’s primary independent delivery mechanism for promoting best practice in the responsible use of professional plant protection products, in order to protect water and the environment, through enhanced adoption of an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) approach to sustainable agriculture.

Bidding information​

Any companies or organisations interested in bidding to manage and operate the NRoSO scheme should contact Neal Evans at the Voluntary Initiative via [email protected] to receive an invitation to tender.
The closing date for receipt of bids is Monday 1 August.

Find out more​

You can find out more about the VI at voluntaryinitiative.org.uk.

Tender for it then shut the Ponzi corrupt scheme down.

 

[Clive]

While the operation of NROSO leaves plenty to be desired, calling for its abolition is a non-starter. It is not quite as black and white to say that it is not a legal requirement - I am pretty sure there is something somewhere, probably deriving from EU law, that requires all users to have continued training. While some non-EU countries may not require it, I find it hard to argue against something that demonstrates that we are as an industry, using plant protection products professionally.

to be clear there is no reason in law to be a Nrso member or undertake CPD as an operator - its a assurance requirement and nothing more and as far as i’m aware UK farmers are unique in the market tolerating this

self (NFU) inflicted red tape and cost - nothing more

 

[Clive]

Tender for it then shut the Ponzi corrupt scheme down.

impossible in 30 days - and they know it, i suspect the contractor has already been selected, that’s how ag gravy trains work

 

[Salopian_Will]

to be clear there is no reason in law to be a Nrso member or undertake CPD as an operator - its a assurance requirement and nothing more and as far as i’m aware UK farmers are unique in the market tolerating this

self (NFU) inflicted red tape and cost - nothing more

The law does not state that the CPD is required explicitly but it does refer to the Code of Practice within statute. The code of practice is provided by the HSE in which CPD is recommended. I.E. If you comply with the Code of Practice you will be within the Law, should the worst happen.

I know you have an axe to grind with assurance etc but I would be struggling to argue against the continued training of sprayer operators to anyone not involved with farming. Every other profession sees ongoing training as a virtue, why should farming be any different.

 

[Still Farming]

Says voluntary initiative ?
Who funds it all other than members subs?

 

[7610 super q]

Do we need it at all ? These quangos need kicking into touch.

 

[Robt]

Surely a voluntary iniative is just that… so how is NROSO voluntary??

 

[Salopian_Will]

Not wanting to sound like a one man support for the VI/NROSO a quick check in companies house confirms that it is run a by a wide range of stakeholders in agriculture with representatives from National Association of Contractors, NFU, CLA, National Ag Engineers association etc etc.

It was created to prevent top down regulation - it was the industry volunteering self regulation. Lots of other industries self regulate too.

 

[jonnieboy]

The law does not state that the CPD is required explicitly but it does refer to the Code of Practice within statute. The code of practice is provided by the HSE in which CPD is recommended. I.E. If you comply with the Code of Practice you will be within the Law, should the worst happen.

I know you have an axe to grind with assurance etc but I would be struggling to argue against the continued training of sprayer operators to anyone not involved with farming. Every other profession sees ongoing training as a virtue, why should farming be any different.

Ongoing training I fully agree with but when a morning spent with Tom Robinson learning about nozzles and everything application gets me 2 points and yet the course delivered by a trainer who has never operated a sprayer and just reads a script gets 10 points for a fee.
This is where CPD turns into a money spinner

 

[Salopian_Will]

Ongoing training I fully agree with but when a morning spent with Tom Robinson learning about nozzles and everything application gets me 2 points and yet the course delivered by a trainer who has never operated a sprayer and just reads a script gets 10 points for a fee.
This is where CPD turns into a money spinner

Thats annoying agreed but they aren’t laid on by VI. There are countless other ways to get the points and more often than not there is no charge. Covid etc has created the demand for the courses due to the lack of in person events.