FARMERS will soon be told what nozzles they must use when spraying chemicals.

The change could cost farmers thousands of dollars.

    Should farmers be forced to change spray nozzles for different chemicals?
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All chemical labels will be changed to state the smallest nozzle type that can be used to spray a particular herbicide or insecticide.

Each nozzle type is designed to deliver droplets within a defined micron range.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority said the new regulations, launched last week, are aimed at cutting the ongoing cost of spray drift to horticulture, cotton and other rural sectors.

The first chemicals to be included in the new regulations will be revealed within weeks, with nozzle requirements for all other agricultural chemicals to be rolled out within two years.

Cotton Australia chief executive Adam Kay said the new regulations would help cut the massive cost of herbicide spray drift to his members.

"Last season, phenoxy herbicides (spray drift) cost the cotton industry $16m," Mr Kay said.

"In the Namoi Valley, NSW, 75 per cent of farmers say they were affected."

But Victorian Farmers Federation grains group deputy president Andrew Weidemann said the changes would be costly for some farmers.

"These regulations have come through the back door without most farmers realising their implications," Mr Weidemann said.

"I'd say 30-40 per cent of grain growers will find it a problem as they have to buy new nozzles and change them over for some sprays, but I think it's dairy and livestock producers who are using nozzles from the late 1990s."

An APVMA spokesman said the regulator was already working with agri-chemical companies to ensure the right balance was achieved between efficiency and reduced drift when mandating the nozzle size.

Nozzle importer TeeJet Australasia managing director Peter Alexander said industry had been working towards the new label requirements for several years.

"It's not just the regulators but the chemical companies which are determined to keep spray drift to a minimum," Mr Alexander said.

"Extensive research and field trials have shown that coarser nozzles can be used on a wider variety of chemicals without reducing the efficacy of the product.

"Export markets are at risk if we don't adopt the approach."

Mr Alexander said on a 24m-wide spray boom, 48 nozzles at about $8 each represented a small investment to ensure chemicals were applied in a safe manner.

Nufarm national business manager Gerard Bardell said there was no excuse for spray drift.

"And anyone applying chemicals has to realise there is a whole range of parameters including wind speed and humidity they need to work within as well," Mr Bardell said.