SLIDE 1
VALE OF GLAMORGAN COUNCIL “INTEGRATED WEED/PEST CONTROL”
Adam Sargent – Parks & Open Spaces Officer
SLIDE 2 THE CODE OF PRACTICE FOR USING PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS (Amenity Areas)….Jointly prepared by:
Food & Environmental Protection Act 1985 Control of Pesticides Regs. 1986 (as amended) Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 2002 Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regs. (1992) This Code Reflects the following laws and sets out “Best Practice”: Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) …and many, many, many, many more
The Vale of Glamorgan manages its use
- f Pesticides by following…………………
SLIDE 3 CODE OF PRACTICE FOR USING PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS (Amenity Areas)
- 1. Training & Certification
- 2. Planning & Preparation
- 3. Working with Pesticides
- 4. Disposing of Pesticide Waste
- 5. Record Keeping
Gives Clear Guidance on:
SLIDE 4
CURRENT & FUTURE PESTICIDE OBJECTIVES OF THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN COUNCIL
To stop the use of pesticides - wherever possible To minimise / reduce use of pesticides To use alternative methods - wherever possible To continually assess methods To look for and use best practice
……I will now expand on these points…..
SLIDE 5 Stop the use of Pesticides - wherever possible We do not herbicide spray any lawned open spaces
Exceptions:
- fine-turf
- Cricket outfield
We do not herbicide spray sports pitch markings We do not spray for pests (green fly / black fly)
SLIDE 6
Minimise / reduce use of Pesticides
Biological controls Cultural controls Mechanical and physical controls Chemical controls …..by aiming for an integrated pest management Legal controls
SLIDE 7
Seasonal bedding areas now Wildflower flower areas
Minimise / reduce use of Pesticides …….continued
Seasonal bedding areas now herbaceous borders
SLIDE 8
Parks Dept – usage per annum – 150 litres (approx)
Minimise / reduce use of Pesticides …….continued
What is Glyphosate? Of this approximately 80 litres are Glyphosate based Current usage in perspective: …..VoG covers approximately 33,500 hectares …..approximately 12% of this is farmed as arable land ....which would equate to 4,020 hectares ….using the same dose rate at 3 applications per year ….for each litre used by parks 377 litres are used elsewhere This does not take into account private use (55,000 households)
SLIDE 9 PESTICIDE USE WITHIN THE HIGHWAYS DEPT
1030km Carriageway treated 799km Footway treated 3 Treatments per year….......... Using…Dakar Pro (Glyphosate ai)
- With unique optic sensors – detects
chlorophyll
- The most environmentally efficient method
- f weed control
- With a typical chemical reduction of 70%
being made.
…….Using Weed-IT technology
Minimise / reduce use of Pesticides……continued
- No triple rinsing or disposal of containers
required.
- Highest load glyphosate for enhanced
performance
- Clean label – no hazard symbols
- Soluble granule formulation in easily
disposable plastic bags
- Safer and easy to use 97% reduction in
packaging
SLIDE 10
Use alternative methods - wherever possible
Mulch Shrub Beds Improve Field Husbandry Use Mechanical Sweeper Independent Fine Turf Analysis Mechanical Methods
SLIDE 11
Look for and use Best Practice by………..
………..working with the Amenity Forum ...........monitoring changes in legislation ………learning / sharing with other Welsh authorities
Green Space Wales Managing and developing Green Spaces
………discussing with suppliers & reading trade magazines ...........attending events such as the “Green Project” ………ensure all staff are trained and competent
SLIDE 12
- Formed as an independent body to bring together professional organisations
with an involvement in the amenity horticulture sector.
- This forum is now fully recognised as the voice for the sector on matters relating
to weed, pest & disease control in the amenity sector
- 45 organisations are direct members representing manufacturers, distributors,
contractors, local authorities and a range of other bodies.
- An industry led project to reduce the environmental impact of pesticides
www.amenityforum.co.uk
SLIDE 13
- To lead, coordinate and encourage achievement of “Best Practice” objectives in
Amenity pesticide use www.amenityforum.co.uk
- To promote and encourage proper and responsible use of pesticides and
integrated methods for the control of pests, weeds and diseases
- 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
- rganisations.
Secretary: Alan Spedding: Alan.Spedding@amenityforum.net
SLIDE 14
Continually Assess / Monitor Methods
…….Use the “Green Dragon” Standard “ethos” ……which is based on the ISO14001 European Environmental Standard
Level One - Commitment to Environmental Management Level Two - Understanding Environmental Responsibilities Level Three - Managing Environmental Impacts Level Four - Environmental Management Programme Level Five - Continual Environmental Improvement The Visible Service Team within the Vale of Glamorgan achieved Level Five Note….we now use the “ethos” only due to financial constraints (registration / external audits
SLIDE 15 Continually Assess / Monitor Methods ……continued
…….Use the “Green Flag” Standard
Assessment Criteria
- 1. A Welcoming Place
- 2. Healthy, Safe and Secure
- 3. Clean and Well Maintained
- 4. Sustainability
- 5. Conservation and heritage
- 6. Community involvement
- 7. Marketing
- 8. Management
SLIDE 16
Thank you for listening, and I hope it has been informative
Adam Sargent – Parks & Open Spaces Officer
…….any questions?
