WELCOME

The Amenity Forum (Amenity Landscaping Environmental Stewardship Forum) is an independent body to bring together professional organisations with an involvement in the amenity horticulture sector. This is a very diverse industry responsible for the landscape management of urban areas, highways and rail network, sports grounds, parks, industrial and utility sites. To establish and maintain these areas to a high standard the sector requires access to pesticides, efficient equipment, trained and qualified staff. The organisation was formed in October 2003 as a key action to support the Voluntary Initiative, an industry led project agreed with Government to reduce the environmental impact of pesticides.

The membership comprises twenty-five organisations from across this diverse industry covering manufacturers, suppliers, trade associations, local authorities, major users, landscape, sport and leisure. Equally important are those members who represent training and qualification standards. The key Government agencies have an important observer role.

The strategic aims of the Amenity Forum are:

• To promote and encourage ‘Best Practice’ across the amenity sector
• To provide the sector with a consultative link to Government
• To maintain a cohesive sector with a strong communications channel within the industry.

To achieve these aims the Amenity Forum continues to develop a number of activities:

• Prepare and issue Guidance Notes to support ‘Best Practice’
• Organise Conferences and Workshops
• Brief UK politicians and MEPs about the amenity sector
• Work closely with the Pesticide Safety Directorate to ensure the Amenity
  Action Plan meets the requirements of the National Pesticides Strategy.