New Amenity Register launched

BASIS has launched a new Professional Register for individuals in the amenity sector that are required to demonstrate a level of competence and understanding.

The new BASIS Amenity Training Register, which came into force at the start of 2015, is designed for a broad range of individuals - including those in operational spraying roles and pesticide advisers, plus those who specify, purchase and manage operations.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a well-established practice to demonstrate ongoing training and learning and is well understood in agriculture and commercial horticulture. In contrast, the amenity sector has been slower to take up this type of activity, outside of sprayer operator roles.

A significant amount of qualified sprayer operators in the amenity sector hold a PA Certificate. However, those giving advice, contracting, specifying and managing pesticide use are not always qualified. To qualify for membership of the new Register, individuals will have to hold appropriate qualifications according to their membership category.

There are five categories of BASIS Amenity Training Register membership:

• Adviser Member
• Sprayer Operator Member
• Associate
• Affiliate
• Subscriber

To retain membership, individuals will need to record the appropriate number of CPD points each year for their membership type (1st January to 31st December or pro rata from when they join).

Information about the new BASIS Amenity Training Register and how much it costs to join can be found on the BASIS website: http://www.basis-reg.co.uk/contact.aspx