Par for the course: Navigating the shift to sustainable golf courses
Seasoned greenkeepers and grounds professionals have dedicated careers to maintaining the immaculate playability and beauty of golf courses. Having operated for many years within the regulatory framework of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Legislation, these professionals have ensured practices adhere to safety standards and promote responsible pesticide use.
However, a transformative shift is now underway in golf course management. The European Commission has proposed a new Regulation on the Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products, which includes ambitious targets to reduce the use and risk of chemical pesticides by 50% across the European Union by 2030.
Action in the EU has been translated into a new UK National Action Plan, and this blog focuses on the five core areas that have shaped the consultation around it:
- Reducing reliance on plant protection products.
- Safeguarding public health.
- Environmental protection.
- Best practices and training.
- Monitoring the use and impact of plant protection products.
Reducing Reliance on Plant Protection Products
The EU Directive on the sustainable use of pesticides, published in 2009, provides a framework of how to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides. It aims to reduce the risks and impacts of pesticide use on human health and the environment by promoting the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and alternative approaches or techniques, such as non-chemical alternatives to pesticides.
IPM is a significant step away from the prophylactic use of plant protection products. Instead, it calls for prevention and suppression of harmful organisms through the use of all available information, tools and methods; aiming to keep the use of pesticides to a level that can be economically and ecologically justified.
The advised tools and methods include careful monitoring of weeds, pests and disease, taking action only when thresholds have been reached; and, using cultural controls, biological pesticides, as well as different grass species to increase tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses.
Safeguarding Public Health
The potential dangers that pesticides present to both human health and ecosystems hinges not only on the inherent characteristics of their elements (such as active substances, co-formulants, adjuvants), but also on the manner of their usage - taking into account factors like application frequency, volumes, method, as well as the type of plant and soil.
Golf courses have consistently placed a high priority on the health, safety, and the overall well-being of players, staff, and nearby communities. The recent regulations introduce an even more careful stance toward pesticide utilisation, aiming to safeguard public health.
Environmental Protection
Golf courses are more than just fairways and greens; they are thriving ecosystems that support diverse wildlife both above and below ground.
To safeguard these valuable environments, greenkeepers should consider soil health by using soil analysis to assess nutrient levels and pH, and the subsequent need for fertilisers. Where possible, organic fertilisers should be considered.
Water management is another key area of focus; and best practice involves conserving water through efficient irrigation systems. More broadly, environmental protection is about protecting natural habitats and incorporating native plants and grasses in course designs. Energy efficiency and waste reduction are other areas that require due consideration.
Best Practices and Training
Education is the cornerstone of adapting to new sustainability standards. Through the National Action Plan and the associated consultation, BASIS revised its CPD system and included IPM in the Crop Protection Certificates for Amenity in January 2021.
Keeping regulatory burdens to a minimum continues to be an objective for the UK Government. To that end, the stakeholder organisation the Amenity Forum, has established an assurance scheme, The Amenity Standard, so that good practice can be recognised.
Monitoring the Use and Impact of Plant Protection Products
Accountability is vital when striving to meet the EU's pesticide reduction targets and the responsibility of ensuring applicable regulations is shared between the Health and Safety Executive, local authorities and government departments.
To have or use plant protection products, organisations must be registered under the 2020 Official Control (Plant Protection Products) Regulations 2020.
As well as being a legal requirement, implementing rigorous monitoring and reporting systems to track pesticide use and assess its impact is best practice and an important aspect of IPM. Detailed records will help to analyse trends and ensure informed decisions, demonstrate compliance and showcase a commitment to responsible management.
Conclusion
The golf course management landscape is evolving, and greenkeepers are at the forefront of this transformation. The EU's proposal for reducing the use and risk of chemical pesticides by 50% by 2030 presents both challenges and opportunities.
By embracing sustainable practices in line with the new UK National Action Plan, courses will not only comply with regulations but also contribute to the broader goals of environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. As a community of dedicated professionals, greenkeepers are poised to lead the way in preserving the beauty and ecological integrity of golf courses while still offering an exceptional experience for golfers. Greenkeepers have an opportunity to embrace change, explore new methods, and take pride in the collective commitment to environmental responsibility.
