Football Pitch Maintenance: 29. Use of Pesticides

Where pesticides and other chemical products are used, this must be in a responsible way and one in which all other actions have been undertaken to reduce the need for their use in the first place.

The use of Integrated Pest / Turf Management, or similar, in reducing the need for pesticides and then only as a last resort should be foremost in managing a football pitch. Whilst many grounds managers will use pesticides as a last resort, many also apply them as a matter of routine, without questioning their need, efficacy or cost effectiveness for the desired outcome.

Chemical applications should be able to be kept to a minimum where good turf cultural practices are being applied. Any pesticide which is applied to a football pitch must be approved for use and undertaken by a certificated user. It is illegal for anyone who does not hold a certificate of competence in the safe use of pesticides to apply a pesticide to a pitch. In many clubs run by volunteers a suitable arrangement would be to contract out the application of pesticides to their pitch or pitches.