Transcript Presentation at SALTEX 2012
PROMOTING BEST PRACTICE
A Voluntary Initiative: an industry led initiative aimed at reducing the environmental impact of pesticides
John Moverley Chairman – Amenity Forum September 2013
PROMOTING BEST PRACTICE
A Voluntary Initiative: an industry led initiative aimed at reducing the environmental impact of pesticides
www.amenityforum.co.uk
September 2013
Background to the formation of the Amenity Forum
Background to the formation of the Amenity Forum
By 2006 the programme had met its targets. In the light of this, it was proposed to Ministers that
The Voluntary Initiative
should continue These proposals were welcomed by the Government and the VI has continued since as a voluntary programme of work promoting responsible pesticide use.
Background to the formation of the Amenity Forum
In 2001, amenity use of pesticides was not considered as important despite its closer public contact and potential impact and did not come under the Voluntary Initiative
Background to the formation of the Amenity Forum
General lack of understanding of what is amenity?
WHAT ARE AMENITY AREAS?
Footpaths & Pavements Car parks
06/05/2020
And there’s more
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Background to the formation of the Amenity Forum
Formed in 2003 as an independent body to bring together professional organisations with an involvement in the amenity horticulture sector. An industry led project to reduce the environmental impact of pesticides
Background to the formation of the Amenity Forum
Developed into The Amenity Forum, the voluntary initiative for the amenity sector and now fully recognised by the UK Government as THE VOICE for the sector on matters relating to weed, pest & disease control in the amenity sector Since 2009, expansion has been significant and now some 43 organisations are direct members representing manufacturers, distributors, contractors, local authorities and a range of other bodies
The Amenity Forum is the collective body representing the Amenity industry in relation to pesticide use The objectives of the Amenity Forum include: To promote and encourage proper and responsible use of pesticides and integrated methods for the control of pests, weeds and diseases To lead, coordinate and encourage achievement of “Best Practice” objectives in Amenity pesticide use To coordinate and encourage the establishment of sustainable qualifications, training and CPD activity, specifically for the Amenity sector To organise activities within the Amenity Forum membership and linked organisations, such that Amenity Forum objectives are developed in a coordinated way
www.amenityforum.co.uk
The Amenity Forum is the collective body representing the Amenity industry in relation to pesticide use We receive no direct financial support from the Government although some in kind Our principal funding derives from membership subscriptions With additional finance from external activities such as our annual conference
www.amenityforum.co.uk
Some of our activities
1. Production of best practice guides • Principally via the web site • Publications – newsletters, Amenity Assured, BIGGA 2. Regular email update service 3. Organisation of seminars, workshops and our conference 4. Production of a General Newsletter & regular Chairman’s Update 5. Dialogue with government, media, stakeholders etc 6. Lobbying/ influencing and more www.amenityforum.co.uk
Some more of our activities
• • Creation of sub groups education & training communications governance Creation of sector focus groups Golf (production of specialist best practice guide) Sport and Managed Turf and Lawncare Transport infrastructure Contractors Local Authorities Utilities
Training
1. Operators 2. Advisers/ Specifiers 3. Equipment Testing 4. Continuing Professional Development 5. Amenity Assured www.amenityforum.co.uk
‘’Meeting the challenge of change’’
Amenity Forum Annual Conference 2013 focussing on what practical action can and should be taken
Thursday October 17 th Leicester City Football Ground www.afconference.co.uk
Register now: [email protected]
‘Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time’
PROMOTING BEST PRACTICE
A Voluntary Initiative: an industry led initiative aimed at reducing the environmental impact of pesticides
John Moverley Chairman – Amenity Forum September 2013
PROMOTING BEST PRACTICE
'Upping our game - the challenge for the Amenity Sector'
‘The Times They Are a-Changin' John Moverley
SOME FACTS REGARDING AMENITY USE OF PESTICIDES IN ENGLAND Sales 21,800 tonnes active ingredients sold in UK 750 tonnes of this were used in amenity Amenity use ` LA use of herbicides Overall Use Source CRD 91% were herbicides 9% algaecides, fungicides, moss killers, insecticides 56% of total 43% on hard surfaces 38% on turf or amenity grass.
Upping our game A challenge like Me beating my wife at golf!!
X
PROMOTING BEST PRACTICE Nottingham Forest winning The European Cup Amenity sector being recognised for its importance, professionalism & standards
X
KEY PRIORITIES
• • • RISK MINIMISATION COST EFFECTIVENESS WATER PROTECTION
Some Key Factors
• • • • •
Minimise risk
to the operator, to the public and to the specifier/ contract awarder Achieve the
desired standard
manner in a
cost effective
Adopt an
integrated approach
to the task
Protect water
Protect surrounding desired vegetation
Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012
Environment protection Targeted application & equipment testing Training & continuous professional development Water protection Human health protection Handling and storage
EU Water Framework Directive
The WFD has a significant number of objectives and indeed requirements with timescales to achieve. In respect of pesticides these fall into three main areas:
Protecting the ecological quality of surface waters
Protecting groundwater – pesticides levels above 0.1 ug/l may compromise groundwater
Protecting drinking water abstractions – under Article 7
AN INTEGRATED APPROACH
Food Security Environmental Security & Protection Energy Security Social Factors & Community Water Security, Protection & Quality Meeting the triple bottom line
The future will require more greening not less
NEED TO UP OUR GAME
HOW?
• • • • • Much achieved by voluntary measures to improve best practice but still too many not involved Impact on sector as a whole – voluntary approach better solution than imposed Need to develop a standard for amenity as in agriculture & we now have one –
AMENITY ASSURED Waiting for a serious incident will be too late
Need to inform all users and specifiers of the risks of not following best practice and not committing to training
AMENITY ASSURED DEMONSTRATES
• • • Legal compliance & high quality operational standards Code of practice compliance All relevant training & inspections in place
NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR AMENITY SECTOR
• • • • • Challenges Too many low standard performers and too few qualified people Scale of sector Major client money pressure Water issues Lack of product range
NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR AMENITY SECTOR
Future Actions • • • Lift standards – professionalism • Training and Registers – growth & sector buy in • Adoption of integrated approaches Audit continuity Communication:-Website, Event, Reach out to more, Other Activities
‘’Meeting the challenge of change’’
Amenity Forum Annual Conference 2013 focussing on what practical action can and should be taken
Thursday October 17 th Leicester City Football Ground www.afconference.co.uk
Register now: [email protected]
‘Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time’
PROMOTING BEST PRACTICE
A Voluntary Initiative: an industry led initiative aimed at reducing the environmental impact of pesticides
John Moverley Chairman – Amenity Forum September 2013