In launching the Amenity Forum 2016 Sprayer of the Year Awards, John Moverley, Chairman of the Forum, emphasised how important it was for the sector to get involved, demonstrate its commitment to best practice and showcase the high standards of operation across the sector.

Launched at BTME last week, as in 2015, they are being sponsored by Syngenta and ICL, with support from BASIS Registration. All of these organisations are members of the Amenity Forum, the voluntary initiative for the sector in all aspects of weed, pest and disease control, promoting and supporting best practice.

John urged everyone to get involved with the Forum and, by so doing, help the sector stay in control. He also used the launch to emphasise new legal requirements that, by November, spraying equipment which requires the operator either to be mounted on the machine itself or on a unit pulling it, is required to be formally tested and hold a certificate issued by the National Sprayer Testing Scheme. They should also be able to demonstrate that other equipment, such as knapsacks, are regularly inspected.

The 2016 Sprayer Awards will have four categories as follows and the winners will be announced at the Forum’s annual conference on October 13th at the Pirelli Stadium, Burton on Trent

• Sports and amenity turf using boom sprayer
• Sports and amenity turf using hand held equipment
• Hard and porous surfaces using vehicle mounted equipment
• Hard and porous surfaces / Invasive weed species using hand held equipment

The Amenity Forum is once again currently running a series of free updating events at locations across the UK. These are designed to provide updates on policy issues, education and training and sprayer testing and operation.

This year they will also include information on integrated control approaches, just what does this involve, why you should know and a guide to implementing. Speakers are drawn from the Chemicals Regulation Directorate, BASIS Registration, the Sports Turf Research Institute and the National Sprayer Test Scheme. Each are hosted by a member organisation of the Amenity Forum with some sponsorship for the programme as a whole from the Agricultural Engineers Association.

The events are open to all. The Forum request that you register in advance so they can ensure sufficient capacity and related arrangements. If you wish to attend this event and require further information, contact Alan.Spedding@amenityforum.net