TIME FOR ACTION
Message from Amenity Forum event
'Time for action' was the message from the various speakers at a well-attended Amenity Forum event held in Lincolnshire recently that focussed upon weed, pest and disease control in amenity situations.
Grant Stark from the Chemicals Regulation Directorate talked about the implications of the National Action Plan arising from implementation of the Sustainable Use Directive. This brings with it legal requirements but, in the main, looks to the sector to work together promoting best practice and driving up standards. He said that it was far better for the sector to do this themselves than have change imposed and to support the Amenity Forum.Duncan Russell from NSTS emphasised the need for sprayer testing, a legal requirement from November 2016, and essential for effective and efficient spraying.
Peter Corbett, consultant to BASIS Registration, then talked about education and training, the legal requirements and the need for the sector to fully engage in continuous professional development, one of the elements of implementing the National Action Plan.
John Moverley, chairman of the Amenity Forum, then spoke to the title – 'Integrated Control: Why, What and How'. Taking an integrated approach is a key component in implementing new policies on weed, pest and disease control. It involves an approach to weed, pest and disease control which looks at specific areas and the level of control needed. It also requires consideration of all available techniques non-pesticide and pesticide and programmes specifically designed for purpose. The Amenity Forum has produced guidance notes on this subject available from their website.
Further updating events are planned across the UK. For information on these and to book a place, contact Alan.Spedding@amenityforum.net
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