However much we'd like to just get on with life and business as normal following the events of June 23rd, it's still pretty tricky what with all the uncertainty surrounding Brexit.

None more so than in the professional turfcare sector, especially with all the influence the EU had over pesticide legislations - an area highlghted recently with all the confusion regarding the use of glyphosate.

So it's good to hear this week that the industry will be addressing these issues, hopefully offering a bit of clarity or at least some sound advice for turf professionals, with Learning Live at SALTEX in November. In an organised panel debate, the implications of leaving the EU will be discussed.

Professor John Moverley, chairman of the Amenity Forum has been confirmed as a panel member and will seek to specifically address the implications for weed, pest and disease control, as well as the amenity sector as a whole.

Professor Moverley recently gave a presentation to a sector event where he said of Brexit, “Clearly this is a major decision taken by the British people and it will take time to fully understand and respond to the changes that will now follow.

“In the immediate term it is business as usual and, as the transition process moves forward, the Amenity Forum will seek to work closely with all involved. In terms of weed, pest and disease control, the UK has adopted the Sustainable Use Directive in its National Action Plan and nothing therefore is again set to change in the immediate term.

“Change does provide real opportunity for the sector to influence new approaches and to be fully engaged in seeking out solutions to existing problems. Weed, pest and disease control is both important and essential. We need to all fully demonstrate this and operate at the highest standards.”

The debate certainly sounds like a worthwhile stop off for turf professionals visiting SALTEX. Whether by the beginning of November the future for legislation will actually be any clearer is of course unlikely. However, simply getting together and sharing thoughts and experiences with other professionals and industry experts should be of great value - certainly considering there are some strong opinions out there at the moment.

In a statement released this morning, Alan Abel from Complete Weed Control for example, had some choice words about the recent glyphosate ruling. He described it as "A totally ridiculous situation for the world's most utilised herbicide to find itself subjected to.

He continued, "Just a few mis-judged words by the WHO, led the green campaigners and the Soil Association to get on the bandwagon and lobby MeP’s to outlaw glyphosate. No science was useful in this argument."

Alan went on to say, "Now, the label on a glyphosate product stipulates that only spot treatment is permitted. That's all well and good if people stuck to the rules. Sadly that's not the case and people are still 'blanket spraying' putting glyphosate and the whole of the amenity industry into jeopardy."

Hopefully hearing forthright views such as this over these coming uncertain months, at both industry events and within the trade media, will help give the guys at the cutting edge the knowledge they need to make the best informed decisions possible.