Sporadic commercial aerial spraying operations have been undertaken in the United Kingdom for more than a decade but only over the past two or three years has it been possible for companies to make a sustained attempt to plan their work in a way which will put operations on a self-supporting annual basis.

Today, the degree to which an operator will plan his work is largely a matter for him to decide; there are few legislated requirements. The law as it stands specifically permits the work of the agricultural operator and leaves him—in the main—to order his affairs as he thinks proper. However, it cannot be long before the incidence of accidents and public anxiety about the effects of drifting chemicals brings about a change in the official attitude towards the Industry. Looking ahead we must expect some form of licensing to be introduced, which will require all operators to meet a standard set by the Ministries of Aviation and Agriculture.