Contract managers are being told to cut costs and increase revenue while, at the same time, effectively addressing increasing problems - ‘it isn’t possible to do all three’.
• Moss and algae control - hard surfaces and grass areas
• Control of invasive weeds - Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed, Ragwort etc.
• Disease control (fungicide application) - fine turf areas (bowling greens, cricket squares, golf greens etc)
• Pest control - leatherjackets, worms
• Grass growth control - roadside verges, difficult to mow areas, high wear areas
All these services can be written into a specification, all are governed by the strict legislation mentioned earlier, all require to be undertaken by qualified, certificated operators and all need specialist equipment designed for accurate application, helping to meet the standards laid down in the recent EU Directives.
Action required
The first step is to take expert advice. There have been so many changes over the last ten years in legislation, chemical choice and application technology. It is important that decisions relating to any pesticide application are taken by someone qualified to do so. Writing specifications that are manageable and achievable are paramount to any weed control programme being successful. Tender documents need to clearly define what level of control is expected and contractors need to be able to demonstrate how this will be achieved.
Training is available; The BASIS POWER (Protection of Water, the Environment and Recommendations) Certificate is designed to help those who have responsibility for spraying operations in both agriculture and amenity, but do not actually apply pesticides themselves. Alternatively, working with a member of the BASIS Professional Register will ensure full compliance. Secondly, appointing the right contractor is now a lot easier following the launch of the ‘Amenity Assured’ accreditation scheme. The scheme is registered and verified by the combined resources of BASIS, NAAC and NPTC, and is endorsed by other leading bodies, including the Pesticide Safety Directorate, Environment Agency, Amenity Forum, Local Government Association and Crop Protection Association. By using an ‘Amenity Assured’ contractor customers will know they have been audited to ensure they comply with the very strict legislation attached to pesticide application and will adopt best practice at all times. Thirdly, audit the work undertaken.
Before and after photographs throughout the city, town, borough or sports facility will help, while again taking expert advice, identifying where work has been undertaken and gaining a clear understanding of the expected levels of weed control achievable with the practices available today.
Conclusion
Taking professional advice and using ‘Amenity Assured’ contractors will ensure full legal compliance, deliver value for money and guarantee ‘best practice’ is adopted at all times. This is the only way we will meet EU Directives to reduce pesticide usage and win the battle against weeds.
About the author: Richard Minton offers independent professional advice and solutions for the local authority, amenity and sports turf industry. Richard Minton Associates has been established to provide a professional consultancy for all weed control and related activities and to guide clients through the ever increasing legislation, both H&S and environmental, attached to the use of pesticides. email: richard@richardminton
www.richardminton.co.uk
We must be able to demonstrate we can adopt ‘best practice’ at all times.
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