Amenity Forum at Keepmoat Stadium

The Amenity Forum is the collective body representing the amenity industry in relation to pesticide use. These are important and challenging times with regard to decisions concerning the implementation of the European Directive on the sustainable use of pesticides.

Formal consultation on the Directive (abbreviated to SUD) took place earlier in the year and the UK Government is shortly to consider recommendations for any proposed legislation and changes to guidelines. The process for making such change is therefore imminent.

On October 7th, the Amenity Forum holds its annual conference and exhibition at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster. For all the reasons given, this is crucial timing. It is important that the amenity sector is fully represented at this event. There is a range of high profile speakers, including senior staff from the Chemicals Regulation Directorate of the HSE (CRD), who are key in formulating the recommendations to government. Decisions made now could have a significant impact on what chemicals we can use in future and all aspects of their use. It is not only the implications of SUD but also the Water Framework Directive.

Professor John Moverley OBE, Independent Chairman of the Amenity Forum, said recently at a presentation at SALTEX, ''Too often there is a lack of understanding of why pesticides are needed in the amenity sector and yet at the same time, we must demonstrate our ability to do all we can to maintain the highest standards. Our sector must not be ignored and a strong voice is important.

Those working in this area undertake a vital role in maintaining our valuable green spaces, sports grounds, transport networks and more. It is a wide ranging sector and very important to all''

Gary Harland, the Chairman of the conference organising committee, said, ''At a time of major cuts in spending, attendance at conferences and similar events needs to be considered carefully. However, this is one event not to miss, occurring as it does at a crucial time for the sector in so many ways. It will be the first opportunity to find out how the sustainable use directive will actually change the way we work. Conference attendance fees have been kept as low as possible to encourage attendance and we are grateful to our sponsors (listed below) for their help with this''

The programme will cover not only presentations on SUD and the Water Framework by senior figures but also will include a focus on continuing professional development and amenity assurance where the outcome of reviews will be announced and new schemes explained and discussed.

To book your place, please contact Nikki Feltham, the Forum Secretary, preferably by email on Nikki.Feltham@bali.org.uk.
For further information, please contact:

John Moverley
Chairman
John.Moverley@dunmovin.co.uk

Gary Harland
Chairman of Conference
info@northernamenityforum.org

www.amenityforum.co.uk