Amenity Forum launches major campaign
The Amenity Forum announced the launch of a major campaign at SALTEX 2012.
This seeks to reach all elements of the amenity sector emphasising the importance of best practice and the highest standards in weed and pest control. The theme was central to a very well attended national conference earlier this month and the Forum is supporting an event on November 22nd at Pride Park, Derby, organised by BASIS and where the theme will be the Amenity Assured standard. The Chairman of the Forum is also speaking at the IOG conference in York on December 6th.
In conjunction with its members, over the coming months, the plan is to hold a series of events across the country addressing the key issues. Further information will be available soon.
The Forum website is a key source of information on Forum activities and within there are a series of guidance notes on a wide range of topics. Shortly to be added is revised guidance on the application of pesticides on hard surfaces. Also there is a copy of the Forum's response to the consultation on a national action plan for implementing the Sustainable Use Directive.
The Chairman of the Forum said ''We have made significant progress in our sector over recent years and certainly within our membership the need for high standards of practice and operation is very much recognised. We seek to roll out such practice across all our sector - good for everyone involved. The Forum is the voice for the sector on such matters and is very active in promotion. Our campaign provides a real focus for this''
The Amenity Forum is the independent body bringing together professional organisations with an involvement in the amenity horticulture sector. This is 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.
The membership comprises of organisations from across this diverse industry, covering manufacturers, suppliers, trade associations, local authorities, major users, landscape, sport and leisure. Equally important are those members who represent training and qualification standards. The key Government agencies have an important observer role. The objectives of the Amenity Forum are:
- To be the collective body representing the amenity industry, in relation to pesticide use
- 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
For further information on this release or any other matters, please contact the Forum Secretary, Alan.Spedding@amenityforum.co.uk
or visit the website at www.amenityforum.co.uk