Northern Amenity Forum Seminar
Several Local Authorities attended a successful Amenity Forum meeting at the Keepmoat Stadium.
John Moverley UK Amenity Forum chairman Welcomed delegates to the Keepmoat and opened the event
Grant Stark of the Pesticide Safety Directorate gave a Update on EU legislation changes and operational impact on UK amenity and local authority pesticide use this included a break interactive delegate session with delegates discussion issues such as Training, National Spray Testing Scheme, Record Keeping, Water Protection, use of non Chemical controls and the issues with the present methods of Amenity weed controls.
Jo Kennedy from the Environment Agency gave a presentation Update on EU Water framework directive
Geoff Wilson with practical demo and Q&A session outlined How the National Spray Testing Scheme testing is undertaken, the benefits of NSTS testing and how NSTS will tie into new EU pesticide legislation
Ian Mather-Brewster Institute of Groundsmen Sideline talk and discussion of pitch care routines, techniques used, chemical use and preparation for games and best practice in fine turf care and maintenance
David Wain Doncaster MBC then closed the seminar with presentation on the benefits of Stem Injection of Japanese Knotweed and how they have been practically applied by Doncaster council
Mark Dempsey Calderdale MBC States "The forum gives us the chance to exchange ideas on working methods and the way forward, particularly in respect of hard surface weed control. We will have two seminar style meetings per year to keep our members up to date on the latest law changes; information about what is considered "best practice" in pesticides application and the best way forward in regard to "integrated control" of weeds in hard surfaces."
Councils who attended the seminar included Barnsley, Blackpool Bradford,Calderdale,Doncaster, North East Derbyshire ,North Lincolnshire,Oldham,Sheffield ,Wakefield and York
And representatives from BASIS, and the chemical industry also attended the event
The Northern Amenity Forum is a group formed from several local authorities across Northern England, the aim of the forum is to have a stronger voice and representation at the Amenity Forum, in light of forthcoming changes in plant protection product regulations within the European Union.