Northern Territory farmers are fighting for their right to use gas guns and other noise deterrents to keep birds off their crops.

Farmers are concerned about a set of draft guidelines released by the NT's Environment Protection Authority, which has been investigating the use of bird scaring devices (BSD) on the grounds they may be a "noise nuisance" for nearby residents.

The EPA says it has received an increase in the number of complaints relating to BSD noises.

Tropical fruit grower Han Shiong Siah, uses a variety of bird scaring devices on his property, including gas guns, horns and sirens.

Speaking to ABC Rural, he said he was worried about the potential outcome of the EPA's draft guideline and the proposed "operating limits" for BSD's.

Proposed operating limits for Bird Scaring Devices (BSD) Parameter Value Maximum noise level from any shot 80 dB* Maximum number of shots per hour 6 ** Hours of operation 7 am to 7 pm * When measured at a noise sensitive receptor **A shot is classified as either a single shot, or up to 3 shots within 5 seconds. BSDs exceeding the limits specified in this guideline may be considered to be causing environmental nuisance under the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act Source: NT Environment Protection Authority

"Gas guns are the first and easiest non-lethal technology that can be used to scare birds away and are used in regions around Australia," he said.

"If this policy being suggested, that gas guns can't be any louder than a dump truck, a maximum of 80 decibels, it would be too quiet and would become really ineffective.

"It would create a big problem for us and we'd have to look at other technologies."

Mr Siah said the proposed operating times for BSD's [7am to 7pm] would also be a major problem for his farm.

"We start scaring birds at first light, but if we wait till 7 o'clock it encourages the 'scouts' to come out, take refuge, and then they encourage the rest of the birds onto the farm," he said.

"The Federal Government has just released a white paper on developing the north, but if you're going to put red tape on farming practices like these bird scaring devices, the white paper could become a white elephant."

The public comment period closed last week for the EPA's ‘Draft guideline for Noise Nuisance From Bird Scaring Devices’.

The NT Farmers Association made a submission, which questioned the need to regulate farming practices in horticultural zones.

Chief executive Shenal Basnayake, said it was important for the EPA to understand why the devices were used.

"We want [the EPA] to understand what a horticultural zone is and what the farming practices are in those zones," he said.

"I think we need to ensure that horticultural zones are recognised as horticultural zones and in those zones there will be practices carried out, which are required from an economic perspective to make sure the industry survives and thrives.

"Certain practices really need to be understood prior to guidelines being put in place and we [NTFA] would call for a greater understanding and respect of common practices in horticultural zones." Han Shiong Siah inspecting the bird damage to his mango crop. ( Matt Brann: ABC Rural )

Mr Basnayake said the farming community had been caught off-guard by the EPA's draft guideline and the NT Farmers Association felt it did not have a sufficient amount of time to consult and respond.

He also noted the EPA's initial draft guideline stated the maximum noise level from any one shot was 100dB, which was later corrected to 80dB, is "considered by those who know, as insufficient to effectively chase birds away" he said.

The NT Department of Primary Industry also made a submission to the EPA's draft guideline.

In a statement to ABC Rural, the department said it believes there needs to be further review and amendments of the guidelines to ensure they are workable for the primary production sector.

The EPA has been contacted for comment.