News
Upping the game
Weed and pest control in the amenity sector - a call to arms from the Amenity Forum
THESE are challenging times for all involved with weed and pest control in amenity areas. The importance of demonstrating good practice, and using trained and qualified staff, has never been greater, albeit this is in the context of ever increasing financial pressures.
It is really important that those awarding contracts seek out operators who can demonstrate their amenity assured credentials. By the same token, so that the sector can fully demonstrate its commitment to best practice and the highest standards, it is equally important that they engage their staff in continuing professional development. Whilst many in this important sector already do so, there still remain those who operate outside the guidelines established.
The consequences of not doing so are considerable. This important sector, as a whole, needs to demonstrate that it can take a lead in driving up standards. It is far better that we do this ourselves, using a voluntary approach, than have it imposed upon us - a sure consequence if, and we hope not, a significant incident were to occur.
Whilst economic times demand real emphasis on costs, the dangers of not meeting current guidelines and continuing to drive up standards are considerable. Making use of operators who embrace current standards and are committed to continuing professional development with their staff makes real sense, both in ensuring a quality and value for money operation, as well as minimising risks.
Major Campaign
The Amenity Forum has launched a major campaign seeking to reach all parts of the sector, both at operator level and to those who specify and award contracts. This takes the form of both national and regional events as well as an increased
communication campaign and dissemination of its wide range of good practice guides developed by practitioners.
The initiative was launched at Windsor and was the focus of the
10 PC DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013
Amenity Forum’s recent highly successful national conference.
Other events this year have included presentations at the launch event for the Amenity Assured Standard which was held at Pride Park, Derby in November and the IOG Conference at York in December. The Chairman of the Forum also spoke recently at a Green Space Wales event, which attracted delegates from all over the country.
With support from its members, regional events are taking place seeking to attract attendance from a wide cross section of the sector, generally at no cost.
One example is an event on the afternoon of the 5th February being held at Bourne in Lincolnshire and kindly hosted by Progreen Weed Control Solutions. A number of others will soon be announced. The aim of these events is to raise awareness of the implications of sustainable use and water regulations and suggest some ways in which we can all work to drive up standards and minimise risks.
Supporting the Amenity Forum
The Amenity Forum is the independent body bringing together professional organisations with an involvement in the amenity horticulture sector. This embraces a very diverse industry responsible for the landscape management of urban areas, highways and rail network, sports grounds, parks, industrial and utility sites. To establish and maintain these areas to a high standard, the sector requires access to pesticides, efficient equipment and trained and qualified staff.
The organisation was formed in October 2003 as a key action to support the Voluntary Initiative, an industry led project agreed with Government to reduce the environmental impact of pesticides. It provides a strong lobby to government and other key stakeholders.
The principal objectives of the Amenity Forum are to be the collective body representing the amenity industry, in relation to pesticide use and to lead,
coordinate and encourage achievement of “Best Practice” objectives and practice in amenity pesticide use. As part of this, it produces newsletters, best practice guides and other material and organises activities within the membership and linked organisations, such that Forum objectives are developed in a coordinated and effective way
Your support is vital
Already the Forum can claim a strong membership of the key organisations and businesses involved, but there is still much to be done. It is essential that all in the sector demonstrate a unified approach and fully support the work of the Forum and its objectives.
We all recognise the importance of having every tool at our disposal to produce the very best amenity surfaces, whether it be at Wimbledon, Wembley or our local park or on our urban pavements.
If we can show that we all are committed to demonstrating best practice and safe operations then, as a sector, we increase our profile and image and show to politicians and the wider public that we are highly responsible and professional.
A vision of the Forum would be that, just as in other areas of operation, those employed to undertake amenity operations carry a card or something similar to demonstrate their assured approach, and that such identification is sought out by those paying for work undertaken. In agriculture, the ‘Red Tractor’ approach has been widely taken up; we need to do something similar in amenity.
Taking a lead
There are many in our sector taking a lead, and this is welcomed. One recent example comes in an announcement from JSD Rail. Already amenity
assured operators, they have taken a further step to
demonstrate their high standard approach in their recent announcement that all its sprayer operators have now signed up to the National Amenity Sprayer Operators Register (CPD scheme). They already have set the standard for many others and are committed to the most cost effective approach at the highest levels of operation.
Danny Hayward, Managing Director at JSD Rail, said “As strong supporters of the Amenity Forum, we believe in investing in staff training. It gives our clients the confidence to know we are ready to face the responsibilities of applying pesticides under the obligations set by the new Sustainable Use Regulations and Water Framework Directive.”
Getting involved
For further information on the activities of the Forum and its campaign, a good place to start is the website,
www.amenityforum.co.uk or by contacting the Forum secretary at the email address of
Alan.Spedding@amenityforum.co. uk.
However, a key way for everyone to get involved, whether you are an operator or customer, is to commit to the principles of demonstrating a fully assured approach by following best practice guidelines and ensuring all involved are fully trained and continually updating their skills.
Our future is in our hands, often said, but extremely relevant here. Everyone wants to see the highest standards and quality in amenity areas. Whilst there are many examples of excellent practice, there are others who let down the standard which could cost us all. We seek everyone to get behind the campaign of ‘upping our game’.
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