•
BASIS TRAINING
•
THE
VEGETABLE
FARMER •
MAY 2018
A
s well as providing a
range of examinations
and industry-recognised
qualifications, it runs an annual
inspection scheme for pesticide
stores andmanages the
Professional Registers for
qualified pesticide and fertiliser
advisers and for professional
pest controllers.
These ensure that
agronomists and other advisers
keep up to date with the latest
research, technical information
and legislation, with registered
members having to acquire a
certain number of BASIS
Continuing Professional
Development (CPD) points each
year (which runs from the start
of June until the end of May).
“There are numerous ways in
which BASISmembers can top-
up their points,” explains BASIS
Professional Registers and
accounts manager, Michele
Williams. “These include visiting
exhibitions, conferences, trial
sites and technical seminars. A
maximum of eight points per
year can also be collected from
reading a wide range of
technical industry publications
and newsletters.” The number
of points an individual member
must accrue depends on their
qualification and category of
membership, with those
holding the Certificate in Crop
Protection (for Agriculture,
Vegetables or Horticulture),
requiring 40 points a year, and
another 10 if the FACTS
Certificate is also held.
BASIS also operates an
Advanced Contractor
Certification Scheme (BACCS)
and a new Amenity Assured
standard to raise andmaintain
good practice standards in the
amenity and industrial pesticide
sectors, and the organisation
has become a forum through
which industry trade
associations and other
stakeholders can discuss how
professional standards can be
maintained, improved and
promoted. There is even now a
BASIS UAS Professional Register
for the users of drones and
unmanned aerial systems.
Stephen Jacob, BASIS CEO,
explains the importance of
CPD, stressing that it is
essential for agronomists,
advisers and farmers to stay
ahead of the curve in the
rapidly developing agricultural
and horticultural industries.
“Over the past few years, we’ve
seen agronomy step up a gear,
andwith the uncertainty
around Brexit, and tightening
regulations, this is expected to
continue,” he says. “New
technology, restrictions and
stewardship guidelines are
8
• AdvancedCropModules
• BASISCropProtection
• BASISFoundationAward
• BETA
• FACTS&NMP
• Soil &WaterManagement
• Waste to Land
BASIS TRAINING - NOT JUST FOR
ADVISERS
BASIS was established back in 1978 by the crop
protection industry as a platform to develop standards for
the safe storage and transport of pesticides, and to
provide a recognised assessment for staff working in the
crop protection sector. Since then its remit has grown,
andwhile tomost farmers and growers it is still
recognised as the body that oversees training and
certification in pesticide and fertiliser competence, it
encompasses muchmore than that.
by Richard Crowhurst
Participants on a BASIS course discussing the importance of soils and
cultivation [Simon Goodger].
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