Lists of drift-reducing seed drills: applying for equipment testing and registration

Seed treated with certain plant protection products may only be applied using drift-reducing seeders listed by the Julius Kühn Institute (JKI). You must have your equipment or conversion kits tested by the JKI if they are to be included in the lists.

The Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) publishes a list on its website of tested seed drills and retrofit kits that operate using negative pressure. These are so-called pneumatic seed drills. During sowing, the listed devices cause about 90 percent less dust drift than other seed drills.

As a manufacturer or commercial supplier, you can apply for the registration of your seed drill or retrofit kit in the JKI list.

Agricultural holdings are only permitted to use the listed seed drills when sowing seeds treated with certain plant protection products. This applies regardless of whether it is a precision seed drill or a universal seed drill.

The goal of the inspection is environmental and nature conservation, particularly of bees. If as little dust as possible with pesticide abrasion is released during the sowing of treated seeds, this protects nature.

You can submit the application for inclusion in the list of drift-reducing seeders by email or post. You can submit the application for both new seeders and retrofit kits.

• by email:
  • Download the application form from the Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI) website.
  • Fill it out and send it as a scan with the necessary documents as an email attachment.
• by mail:
  • Download the application form from the Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI) website.
  • Send the signed form with company stamp as well as the required documents by mail to the Julius Kühn-Institut.
• The JKI is reviewing your documents. Should the estimated costs for the review exceed 5,000 EUR, the JKI will send you an invoice for an advance payment.
• In the next step, the JKI will arrange an appointment with you for a field test of your sawing equipment. The inspection takes place on-site at the JKI in Braunschweig. You are responsible for the transport of the equipment to and from the location. Please ensure that you have statutory liability insurance to cover any damage incurred during transport and testing.
• After a positive review, the JKI will send you a notice. In addition, the JKI publishes the type designation, the manufacturer's name, and several other specifications on its website, such as row spacings or years of manufacture.
• You will pay the remaining amount due for the exam, minus the advance payment already made, if applicable.

You do not have to meet any deadlines.

Note: The costs for the voluntary inspection depend on the type of equipment and the inspection effort. The JKI will inform you of the expected costs before the inspection of your equipment begins.

Cost estimate for general processing of the application: 59.00 EUR - 400.00 EUR

Cost framework for the testing of attachments, equipment for distributing pellets, as well as granules and dusts: EUR 1,200.00 - EUR 7,200.00.

Cost framework for evaluation and listing: EUR 190.00 - EUR 680.00.

• Objection
  Further information on how to file an appeal can be found in your notice.