In October 2024, IGFH’s Bradley Tennant attended an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) demonstration event in Wales, organised to highlight alternative approaches to chemical-based weed control methods. Here, Bradley discusses his experience at the event, which included a presentation, Q&A, and equipment demonstration by Kersten UK.
I recently had the opportunity to attend an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) demonstration event organized by the Welsh Government. The session was held at the International Pavilion of the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells and was aimed at representatives from local authorities across Wales. It was a half-day gathering, focusing on alternative approaches to managing weeds and invasive non-native plants, showcasing innovations and sustainable strategies in pest management.
The event began with a welcome from the Welsh Government’s Policy team, who discussed the growing need for IPM in urban and rural areas. The main purpose of introducing IPM is to reduce chemical dependency in pest control by using varied techniques to tackle unwanted plant growth and invasive species.
This was followed by a brief presentation from the Amenity Forum, focusing on the importance of collaboration to create effective IPM programs.
The program then highlighted products and methods from selected suppliers. Sean Faulkener of Kersten UK highlighted some of the company’s emerging tools that have proven effective in managing green spaces sustainably.
Sean’s presentation gave us insight into the technology and tools available to us for minimizing the environmental impact of pest control, and was followed by a Q&A, where attendees had the chance to ask questions about Kersten’s products.
Following the presentations, we headed outside to see the equipment in action. The demonstration sessions gave us hands-on exposure to the range of machinery, showing us how each approach works in various real-world scenarios. The Welsh Government also facilitated break-out group discussions, where we could share our own insights, discuss challenges, and brainstorm solutions tailored to the specific needs of the local communities.
The day finished with comments from the Welsh Government’s Pesticides Policy team, who fed back from the break-out groups and talked about future events. They asked for feedback on the frequency and format of the next demonstration, and this will help shape future IPM events and the ongoing collaboration between local authorities and government bodies to tackle pest management in Wales.
We’d like to thank Kersten UK for inviting us to attend this event. You can view Kersten’s previous and upcoming events on their website.
