To achieve Best Pactice turf professionals need to stay clued up on the latest legislation and regulations.

The Amenity Forum are currently running a series of free to attend Updating Events across the country, advising the industry on current issues and promoting best practice for all aspects of weed, pest and disease control. They proudly boast that their members are committed to continuing to drive up standards and ensure safe and sustainable practices.

At a recent event held at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Peter Corbett, consultant to BASIS Registration argued that best practice doesn't need to be difficult. Peter was referring to the need for everyone to take an integrated approach to weed, pest and disease control. He said that it was good practice and the approach taken by quality operators but that there was a need to properly document and keep accurate records.

He said that a practical definition of an integrated approach is ensuring that, in planning a weed, disease or pest control programme, professionals consider the level of control required for specific areas and circumstances and consider all options available to achieve the required outcome efficiently, effectively and economically.

Earlier in the event, John Moverley, Independent Chairman of the Forum, had addressed the requirements arising from policy change especially implementation of the Sustainable Use Directive. He said that this brings with it legal requirements such as sprayer testing, properly certificated operators and the need for those purchasing pesticide to ensure it is applied by qualified people.

So while it is of course reasonable to state that it shouldn't be dificult to acheive best practise, it does of course require individuals to put some time and effort into staying abreast of all current deveopments. This can be achieved with the help of industry bodies and trade accociations. For example the BIGGA website last week helped to make it clear what the state of play currently is following last year's removal of Chlorpyrifos as an approved pesticide in the amenity sector.

They reiterated that as of 31st August last year, all spraying of Chlorpyrifos, on sports turf areas had to cease. However, some areas of estates were still allowed to spray. For example, paddock areas for horses were still exempt.

That was until Friday 12th February this year, when the HSE announced that the registration for use of Chlorpyrifos in all uses, other than treatment of brassica modules, have been revoked following the earlier revocation of use in Amenity sectors. What has also been stipulated, BIGGA pointed out, is that it will be illegal to store Chlorpyrifos after the 1st October 2016. 

Very helpfully they they summarised the major outcomes of the announcement, as follows:

• From 1st April 2016 it will be illegal to spray any product containing chlorpyrifos on any crop
• Sales from manufacturers to distributors have been suspended from 12th February 2016
• Users have until 1st October 2016 to dispose of all stocks of any product containing chlorpyrifos via a suitable waste disposal/ management company
• After 1st October 2016 it will be illegal to store any product containing chlorpyrifos