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financially, but the right approaches to managing and planning amenity areas can have a real impact on reducing the need for pest and weed control. Recently, a local authority in the Midlands has completely redesigned its many attractive flower and plant beds in its area, choosing lower maintenance varieties, using mulching to reduce weed infestation, and in other ways. Similar approaches might be adopted when looking at new hard surfacing, thinking what is best for weed control, both short and long term.
We also need to fully consider biological options. I recently attended a conference on the topic of sports turf microbial management. It was fascinating to hear of research being undertaken. Yes, of course to some, it may still seem somewhat divorced from the everyday pressures of
maintaining sports pitches to the standard required.
Pesticides are often the most effective, both in efficacy and cost but, as said previously, if we are to protect the availability of the limited chemicals we have in amenity, we need to confirm the ‘integrated’ approach, ensuring all
pesticides are used to maximum effect and with little if any damage to the environment.
At the Amenity Forum conference, views were wide and varied, but there was agreement and understanding that all such options need to be considered.
The amenity sector is a wide and varied one, but extremely important. As a sector, we must demonstrate our ability to follow very best practice and ensure the highest standards. Whilst there are many who operate at such levels, there remain those who are not aware of recent legislative changes and modern requirements.
Amenity is under the spotlight. Government’s recent public statements on the importance of our sector are to be welcomed but, in turn, this increases our responsibilities. It is much better that those operating in the sector implement change themselves rather than have it imposed by others, with all the implications this brings.
Go and ask some of our European counterparts who already operate much more in an environment of being told what they can or cannot do. We need the whole sector to ensure it has ‘upped its game’. Regardless of legal
enforcement, it is up to all of us to show our professionalism and to use the already limited pesticide product range we have in a highly professional manner with well documented procedures and making such decisions in an integrated way.
The Amenity Forum is the national voluntary initiative for the amenity sector. It is a non profit organisation funded by the industry through membership subscriptions. It seeks to promote best practice, providing support and guidance and seeking to ensure the whole sector can demonstrate its importance and commitment to the highest standards in weed, pest and disease control.
We are the voice for the sector in all such matters. Our membership already contains a wide range of organisations including pesticide
manufacturers, distributors, operators, local authority, golf and sports bodies and more. It is very important that we bring everyone behind the cause.
The Forum is running a number of short updating events over the next few months. These are free events although pre- registration is required by emailing
Alan.Spedding@amenityforum.net where you can also receive more information on content and locations.
Also a date for diaries is October 16th when the Amenity Forum will be holding its annual conference and exhibition.
Times may be changing in the world of pest, disease and weed control, but the requirements remain the same; effective control, both in terms of operations and cost. Pesticides will remain central to control, but we must also take heed of the need for more integrated approaches. We need to do that ourselves, through our own efforts, so we are in control and not others.
www.amenityforum.co.uk
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Contact Kerry Haywood on t: 01952 897416 e:
kerry.haywood@pitchcare.com
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014 PC 151 WASHDOWN SYSTEMS
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