Transcript Presentation at SALTEX 2012

Voluntary Initiative Steering group
November 2013
PROMOTING BEST PRACTICE
THE ACTIVITIES OF THE AMENITY
FORUM
AN UPDATE & LOOK FORWARD
John Moverley
Background to the formation of the Amenity Forum
Formed 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
In 2010, undertook a review and
re-developed our strategy going
forward and how we were to
achieve it
Where are we now?
The Amenity Forum, as the
voluntary initiative for the amenity
sector, is now fully recognised as
the voice for the sector on matters
relating to weed, pest & disease
control in the amenity sector
In recent years, expansion has
been significant and now almost 45
organisations are direct members
representing manufacturers,
distributors, contractors, local
authorities and a range of other
bodies
The objectives of the 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
THE PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS (SUSTAINABLE
USE) REGULATIONS 2012
I am writing to advise you that new regulations relating to
the use of pesticides recently came into force. This letter is
for authorities that use pesticides or appoint contractors to
manage vegetation or control pests, weeds and diseases on
their behalf. If this is the case, it is important you comply
with the legal requirements and ensure safe use of
pesticides.
The law includes requirements that anyone who uses, or
causes or permits others to use pesticides must ensure that:
Some more of our activities
•
•
•
Creation of sub groups
 education & training
 communications
 Governance
Establishing Amenity Development Group
Creation of sector focus groups
 Golf (production of specialist best practice guide)
 Sport and Managed Turf and Lawncare
 Transport infrastructure
 Contractors
 Local Authorities
 Utilities
Even more activity!
1. Our conference
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 17th
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’
Even more activity!
1. Our conference
2. Statement from the Under Secretary of State
www.amenityforum.co.uk
Even more activity!
1. Our conference
2. Statement from the Under Secretary of State
3. Launch of Golden Rules document
www.amenityforum.co.uk
Even more activity!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Our conference
Statement from the Under Secretary of State
Launch of Golden Rules document
Launch of Amenity Management Information system
Emphasis on Amenity Assured standards
Appropriate guidance on an integrated control approach
PROMOTING BEST PRACTICE
'Upping our game - the challenge for
the Amenity Sector'
The snowball is rolling and
gathering weight but still more
distance to travel
John Moverley
Still concerns
General lack of understanding of
what is amenity, its importance &
value?
WHAT ARE AMENITY AREAS?
Footpaths & Pavements
Car parks
industrial
And there’s more
20/07/2015
18
Some Key Factors
• Minimise risk to the operator, to the public and to
the specifier/ contract awarder
• Achieve the desired standard in a cost effective
manner
• Adopt an integrated approach to the task
• Protect water
• Protect surrounding desired vegetation
The future will require more greening not
less
NEED TO UP OUR GAME
Upping our game
PROMOTING BEST
PRACTICE
A challenge like
Me beating my wife at golf!!
Nottingham Forest winning
The European Cup
Amenity sector being recognised for its
importance, professionalism &
standards
X
X
THE KEY FOCUS OF OUR SPECIAL
CAMPAIGN OVER LAST 12 MONTHS
•
•
•
•
Workshops & seminars
Increased press & media activity
External presentations
Widening our involvement in external
activities
• Seeking to reach all parts of our sector
• Seeking to inform all stakeholders of the
importance of amenity
THE CAMPAIGN GOES ON
• With all the activities previously described
• Establishing & articulating a clear strategy for the
future
• Further expanding membership
• Adding to our services & assistance to members
• Developing our communications plan &
implementing it
• Develop & improve our best practice guides
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
CONCLUSION
• The amenity sector is a very important one
• If we are to retain our ability and the tools to control
weed, pest & diseases, we must demonstrate our
commitment by ALL the sector to adoption of best
practice standards
• We will promote an integrated approach – we
believe in effective pesticide use – but it important to
recognise the vital role pesticides play in maintaining
our amenity areas to the standards required & in a
sustainable manner
CONCLUSION
• The Amenity Forum is successful because it is sector
led
• Onwards & Upwards
THANK YOU FOR THIS
OPPORTUNITY