PESTICIDES! -defend your own Interests

摘要

Pesticides are widely used on golf courses, sports grounds and other sports facilities and they are also used in towns and cities where they are essential in maintaining the urban environment to an aesthetically pleasing standard in a cost-effective way. Sport of various types gives pleasure to many millions of people on a daily basis and is crucial in maintaining or improving the health of a large percentage of the population. Control of the many pests and diseases which can affect the many thousands of sports grounds, football pitches and golf courses is an essential part of their management. Although this article focuses on the amenity and sports turf sectors it is essential to realise that in Europe this niche is very small relative to other sectors. Regulatory decisions affecting the pesticides used in our industry are likely to be based primarily upon their implications for major crops such as cereals. Since these regulatory decisions can have serious implications for us, it is essential thatthe industry as a whole remains well-briefed and prepared to respond. From the manufacturer's point of view this requirement has been recognised. Levington Horticulture Limited (now part of the Scotts Company Limited) was a prime mover in the establishment of an appropriate forum for the discussion of this issue initially within the United Kingdom under the auspices of the British Agrochemical Association (BAA) and now in a European forum within the European Crop Protection Association (ECPA).