NEWS
New NSK Amenity Training Course
New PPP regs
BASIS has launched the NSK Amenity Training Course, a new bespoke course for storekeepers working in industries within the amenity sector, for example lawn care, property maintenance, greenkeeping and sports turf management.
New plant protection product regulations introduced A revised policy statement has recently been added to The Official Controls (Plant Protection Products) Regulations 2020. These apply to the whole of Great Britain and supplement existing regulations that govern the sale and use of plant protection products or PPPs. The Northern Ireland Executive has put in place its own legislation implementing and enforcing official controls for PPPs. The regulations are in place to: • allow regulatory authorities to enforce legal requirements that apply to the placing on the market and use of PPPs throughout the supply chain • explain the action enforcement authorities can take where non-compliance is identified or suspected The 2020 Regulations also apply to components of PPPs such as active substances, synergists, co-formulants and to adjuvants. The Amenity Forum have said that under the Regulations, businesses concerned with the placing on the market of PPPs authorised for professional use, and/or the placing on the market of components of PPPs, are required to notify competent authorities of their details and business activities by 22nd September 2021. This includes businesses that produce, manufacture, process, import, distribute and sell those products. Information will be requested about company details and contact information, product types, storage and capacity. Similarly, all users of PPPs in a professional capacity will need to follow a similar process by 22nd June 2022. Further information is to be provided for these businesses over the coming months. The HSE will operate controls and enforce the 2020 Regulations in Great Britain, taking a proactive, risk-based approach. It is also expected that Local Authorities will have a role. Enforcement of existing PPP regulations will remain unchanged.
DEFRA, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are finalising the details of the control programme. These will be provided in communications over the coming months and the Amenity Forum has already engaged with all involved in such discussions. As further information becomes available, the Forum will issue further releases. These control measures come at a time of significant policy change when the UK Government is already preparing its revised and refreshed National Action Plan in relation to weed, pest and disease management. The Amenity Forum say a key element of their conference will be a focus on policy change and how it impacts on the sector. The conference is to be held at the Pirelli Stadium in Burton on Trent on 21st October. Registration for the conference and associated exhibition is now open and further information can be obtained by contacting Kate at admin@amenityforum.net. Given support from the sector, this allows ticket price to be maintained at 2019 levels of £95 with early bird discounts for registrations prior to 1st September. Professor John Moverley, Chairman of the Amenity Forum, said: “This issued policy statement is highly significant for our sector. However, those operating to professional standards have nothing to fear and such controls chime well with the introduction of the UK Amenity Standard, providing full assurance to all involved that organisations are meeting requirements seeking to create safe and sustainable amenity and sports spaces fit for purpose.”
This new qualification has been fully accredited by Harper Adams University and is being recognised by CRD as a Certificate of Competence for any professional storekeeper working within the amenity sector. BASIS has been successfully delivering training and qualifications for storekeepers working within professional pesticide stores for the past 35 years through their industry recognised Nominated Storekeeper (NSK) Training Course. Not only has this provided storekeepers with the training they require as stipulated within UK regulations and the Code of Practice for suppliers of pesticides (The Yellow Code), but has also allowed professionals to learn the principles of good storekeeping, which ensures pesticides are stored in a way which protects the general public, safeguards the environment and avoids the pollution of water. However, it has been recognised that there is a requirement for a NSK training course which is specifically targeted at storekeepers working within industries such as lawn care, sports turf management, greenkeeping and all other areas within the amenity sector. Ensuring that professional pesticides are stored in a responsible way is extremely important across all industries and anyone responsible for this is required to complete adequate training. However, the current NSK training course did not necessarily meet all the requirements for a storekeeper working within the amenity sector.
GTC releases revised Level 3 Learning Materials The Advanced Golf Greenkeeper Learning Materials, developed for the Level 3 Apprenticeship, are now available for golf clubs and individuals to purchase from the Greenkeepers Training Committee (GTC). Members of the GTC board, pictured right in 2019, regularly meet to discuss ways to improve greenkeeper education. These best practice learning materials, compiled by industry specialists, are based upon principles and practices for advanced golf course maintenance and management. Originally compiled to provide the underpinning knowledge for the Level 3 qualification, the GTC Board of Directors and the Employer Group have championed the revision of the copyright Learning Materials. Divided into 10 chapters, they cover best practices including health and safety, advanced golf course preparation and maintenance, construction of golf course
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features, environmental management, finance and project management. All GTC-BIGGA Approved Training Providers will receive a copy of the Learning Materials, for use with all greenkeeping students on the advanced greenkeeping courses. The 392-page publication is now available in digital format from the GTC shop. Visit: www.the-gtc.co.uk/shop/ GTC Learning and Development Executive, Fiona Lyttle, said: “We are incredibly proud to present the revised Level 3 Learning Materials. After recently reviewing and updating the Level 2 Learning Materials, it became necessary to develop materials appropriate for students learning at the higher level. The Level 3 qualification now incorporates more knowledge and skills that are required at a supervisory level. These materials home in on the knowledge required and how to deliver those skills. The GTC has ensured the Learning
Materials are suitable for everyone, from apprentices to golf course managers, with all subjects comprehensively covered.” The GTC is supported by England Golf, Scottish Golf, Wales Golf, The PGA and BIGGA. For further information on the GTC’s Learning Materials, contact Fiona Lyttle on 01347 838 640 or fiona@the-gtc.co.uk
