The case for a Pesticide-Free London:
The benefits for the city’s residents and urban biodiversity, plus a roadmap for delivery March 2022
Introduction Pesticides, mainly herbicides, are used throughout London to manage weeds and other organisms deemed as ‘problematic’. They are used in a wide range of areas including parks and green spaces, streets and pavements, the public transport network, schools, play areas and in private gardens. Their use in urban areas is unnecessary and, as numerous cities around the world have shown, there are viable, sustainable alternative methods for ensuring the city is a healthy place for all those that live, work or play there.
a stakeholder forum for London boroughs and other land managers to come together to share experiences and work together to reduce, and ultimately end, the use of pesticides across London. The signatories to this document are calling on the Mayor to take a lead on this issue, to initiate a plan to phase out the use of pesticides on the GLA estate, and to help and support all London boroughs to go pesticide-free.
For example, every town and city in France, Belgium and Luxembourg is managed without the use of herbicides. Already in the UK there are sixty plus local authorities that have either ended the use of pesticides or are working towards that goal. In London, a number of boroughs have already started along this road with success including Hackney, Lambeth, Croydon, Southwark and the Corporation of London. Hammersmith & Fulham, which has led the way in the city, has been pesticide-free since 2016. The Mayor of London’s Environment Strategy includes a commitment to “reducing the use of pesticides”. As a result, the Greater London Authority (GLA) has taken some steps toward reducing pesticides which has included Transport for London investigating the use of non-chemical alternatives for track maintenance. However, much more can and should be done across London with the Mayor and GLA taking the lead to phase out pesticide use across the GLA estate, and to assist the 32 London boroughs and other major land managers to end the use of pesticides. In 2019, a Motion on reducing pesticides was unanimously voted through by London Assembly Members. The Motion called on the Mayor to phase out the use of pesticides on the GLA estate and to create
Yellow stripe demonstrates where weedkiller has been applied along a suburban verge in Hillingdon. Credit Carl90210
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The case for a Pesticide-Free London: The benefits for the city’s residents and urban biodiversity, plus a roadmap for delivery
The benefits of a pesticidefree London London, like everywhere else, is facing climate and biodiversity emergencies. The current Mayor has acknowledged as much and pledged to take measures that will help tackle both issues whilst looking to make London one of the cleanest and greenest cities in the world. Going pesticide-free is a relatively simple measure that will help the Mayor meet that objective and provide a range of positive outcomes that will benefit Londoners and all that live, work or play in this great city:
66 Addressing the biodiversity crisis – creating wildflower areas, leaving areas to go wild, reduced mowing and cutting regimes, and using more native species and moving away from ornamental bedding plants are all key parts of a pesticide use reduction strategy. All of these measures help to increase biodiversity by providing food and shelter for pollinators and a variety of other species in the urban setting. Ending the use of pesticides can also have a beneficial impact on the number and variety of wildflowers that can thrive in urban settings.
66 Protecting water – The use of pesticides in cities contributes to water pollution. Run off from pesticides sprayed on hard surfaces, such as streets and pavements, goes directly into the water system polluting both rivers and drinking water sources. Reducing the use of pesticides can help ensure that our waters remain fit for the organisms that live in them and for the people of London that rely on them to provide drinking water.
66 Protecting the health of the public – Pesticides are poisons and exposure to them can have harmful effects on people, particularly the most vulnerable parts of the population such as children. Ending the use of pesticides, particularly in places such as parks, playgrounds and schools, can help reduce the exposure of young people to potentially harmful chemicals.
66 Protecting the health of workers – Often those most at risk from pesticides are those that use them regularly. A number of high-profile cases in the USA linking the use of glyphosate-based weedkillers to the development of cancers have shown that groundskeepers and professional gardeners can succumb to the harmful effects of pesticides. Councils have a duty of care to those that work for
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them (both staff and contractors) and reducing and ending exposure to potentially harmful chemicals will help to ensure that council workers do not suffer the impacts of exposure to harmful chemicals.
66 Protecting the health of pets – Several studies have shown that dogs and cats can be harmed, on occasion fatally, by exposure to some of the pesticides that are used in the urban setting. Ending the use of pesticides in green spaces, streets and pavements will help ensure that our pets are kept safe from harm.
66 Helping reverse climate change – Reducing the use of herbicides, encouraging more native wildflowers, reducing mowing and encouraging plant biodiversity and abundance can have a positive impact on climate change and, alongside increased tree planting, help to reduce ambient temperatures in the urban environment.
66 Supporting the green economy – Companies that offer pesticide-free alternatives to weed control, as well as those that supply equipment for pesticide-free weed control, are often smaller than the more traditional contractors used by councils. The Mayor is keen to support the green economy. London boroughs supporting small, green, local companies to deal with weed control will help to achieve that objective.
What we are calling on the Mayor of London to do? The signatories of this document would like the Mayor to support the measures outlined in the London Assembly Motion passed in 2019 for phasing out pesticides (see the Annex for the full text of the Motion). In particular, we urge the Mayor to:
66 Develop a plan that will see pesticides phased out across the entire GLA estate in the next three years.
66 Support and guide London boroughs in going pesticide-free.
66 Establish and facilitate a cross-London stakeholder forum for London boroughs and other key land managers to come together to work on going pesticide-free. We are also calling for the Mayor to make pesticide use reduction a priority area within the London environment, biodiversity and climate action plans.
The case for a Pesticide-Free London: The benefits for the city’s residents and urban biodiversity, plus a roadmap for delivery
What we are calling on London boroughs to do? A number of London boroughs have already taken the decision to reduce, phase out or stop the use of pesticides. Notably, Hammersmith & Fulham who have adopted the hot foam system to deal with weeds on all their hard surface areas, Lambeth who have ceased spraying on their housing estates, green spaces and tree pits and allowed residents to opt out of having their streets sprayed and Hackney who have stopped spraying in both green spaces and housing estates under their control. These three councils have been the leaders in going pesticide-free within London. However, other councils have also taken positive steps, from phasing out pesticide use in their green spaces to trialling alternative approaches to weed and pest control. We are calling for all London boroughs to take the following steps:
66 Commit to going pesticide-free and to adopt a three year phase out plan – an example plan is provided on page 4 of this document
66 Instigate a pesticide amnesty for residents to return their old or obsolete home and garden pesticides
66 Join the stakeholder forum established by the Mayor (once established)
What we are calling on private London land managers to do? Private land managers are key to delivering a truly pesticide-free London. Without their support it will be, at best, a patchwork of pesticide-free areas. In fact, their continued use of pesticide risks undermining good work undertaken by London boroughs.
66 Adopt a pesticide phase out policy with clear steps and goals with a timeline – an example is provided at the end of this document
66 Communicate with their customers / tenants that they are taking steps to go pesticide-free
66 Work constructively with individual London boroughs to support them in their efforts to go pesticide-free
66 Share examples of best practice in pesticide reduction so that others can benefit from work already undertaken
66 Take an active role in the Mayor’s stakeholder forum (once established)
What we are calling on London residents to do? The support of the public is vital if a pesticide-free approach is to be successful. Polling has clearly shown that the public are supportive of ending the use of pesticides in towns and cities. However, this support is often drowned out by the handful of people that are trapped in the ‘neat & tidy’ mind set and who contact councils to complain about weeds. The council needs to know that it is supported by its constituents in the work it is doing. In this respect, the public has a vital role to play by being openly supportive of measures taken by their local council to reduce the use of pesticides and support other measures which lead to an increase in biodiversity. The public can also go further and ensure that they do not use pesticides in their homes and gardens or on their allotments. We would encourage the public to stop using pesticides and adopt nature-friendly methods for dealing with weeds and pests.
Many land managers and organisations are already taking steps to reduce their use of pesticides. However, others are completely unaware of the issue and continue to use pesticides without regard for the potential impacts. We are calling for all London land managers, and the organisations that represent them, to:
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The case for a Pesticide-Free London: The benefits for the city’s residents and urban biodiversity, plus a roadmap for delivery
Setting a pesticide-free policy Having a clear policy for achieving the goal of going pesticide-free is an important step that will help set the direction of travel and allow council officers and others involved in implementation to understand what is expected of them. It is also a key part of gaining public support for what the council is planning. A policy aimed at going pesticide-free should include the following key objectives:
66 Reduce and ultimately end the use of all pesticides (for the most part herbicides) by the council, its officers and contractors on all land that is directly or indirectly under its control.
66 Bring in other key land managers to follow suit in ending the use of pesticides on land under their control.
66 Encourage the general public to stop the use of pesticides in gardens, allotments and other areas.
66 To make your area a pesticide-free city as part of your approach to the climate and biodiversity emergency.
The pathway towards going Pesticide-Free It is not envisaged that pesticide use can be stopped overnight – in fact that notion is, in many cases, a hindrance to going pesticide-free. The journey towards becoming pesticide-free requires a phased approach under which pesticide use is gradually, but steadily, reduced until it is eventually stopped entirely. The time frame can vary according to circumstances but, in general, a three-year phase out period is realistic for most councils. Some of course will wish to deliver the objectives in less time which would be welcomed and encouraged. As increasing numbers of councils in the UK go pesticide-free, timescales may well become shorter as local authorities are able to share experiences and best practice. In addition, non-chemical technologies are constantly evolving and improving, making the transition to becoming pesticidefree increasingly easier. Throughout the process of going pesticidefree, communication with the public about what you are trying to achieve and why, progress made, problems and successes is vital.
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PAN UK has produced a comprehensive guide for local authorities that looks at some of the key issues related to going pesticide-free. In addition to providing useful tips on communicating with the public, it covers areas such as designing trials of non-chemical alternatives and bespoke pesticide policies, and also deals with contentious issues such as invasive species and cost implications. ‘Going Pesticide-Free: A Guide for Local Authorities’ can be downloaded from the PAN UK website at https://www.pan-uk.org/informationfor-local-authorities/
The three-year phase out plan Year 1 It’s vital that councils have in place a strategy for going pesticide-free that sets a clear direction of travel and allows all actors (concerned citizens, local businesses and other land managers) to play their part. It will help not only those involved in reducing the use of pesticide but also assist residents and the wider public to understand the benefits of going pesticide-free. Devising, and ideally publishing a pesticide reduction strategy and/or phase out plan, is a vital first step and something that PAN UK can help with. Other measures to be implemented in year 1 are as follows:
66 Undertake an audit of current pesticide and herbicide use across all sectors including, but not limited to, parks and cemeteries, streets, housing estates and schools.
66 Devise a bespoke pesticide policy which sets out clearly the conditions under which pesticides are being used in its area – how, where, when and why, and what measures are being taken to end or reduce pesticide use.
66 Publicise the initiative through local media and other channels so the public are aware of what is planned for the coming three years
66 Include going pesticide-free in your approach to the climate and biodiversity emergencies. While we envisage all London boroughs joining a citywide stakeholder forum, some might find it useful to establish a specific stakeholder forum for their particular borough. If that is the case the forum should be designed in such a way as to:
The case for a Pesticide-Free London: The benefits for the city’s residents and urban biodiversity, plus a roadmap for delivery
66 Draw in other major land managers in the area so that the council will not be operating in isolation. These can be from hospitals and other medical facilities, schools and universities, retail and shopping areas etc.
66 Create an opportunity to share experiences and learnings with others who might already be successfully implementing pesticide reduction strategies.
66 Enable stakeholders to come together to understand and overcome opportunities and obstacles around going pesticide-free
66 Explore the possibility of cost sharing– this could be particularly useful in terms of initial capital outlay for non-chemical alternative technologies.
66 The Forum should meet regularly and have a clear agenda for discussions. The main goal of Year 1 is to end the use of all pesticides in public parks and other urban green spaces.
Year 2 This is the time to consolidate the work of year one and take things further.
66 Commit to halving the kilometres of streets and pavements that are sprayed by the end of year two.
66 End the use of pesticides / herbicides in areas of housing stock and other properties owned or controlled by the council
66 Working in partnership with members of the stakeholder forum, ensure that other land managers are working to reduce and ultimately stop the use of pesticides / herbicides in areas outside council control
66 Ensure there is an ongoing dialogue with the public about progress of the project
66 Organise a pesticide amnesty for the public to return unused, unwanted or obsolete pesticide products The main goal of Year 2 is to end the use of all pesticides on at least half of streets and pavements.
Year 3 The final year and time to deliver the final objective
66 End the use of pesticides / herbicides on the remaining kilometres of streets and pavements
66 Continue to encourage other key stakeholders to follow suit on land and areas under their control
66 Organise a public event to announce your success 66 Write up your experiences including problems overcome, successes, involvement of stakeholders and anything else that is pertinent. This will be a valuable resource for other areas wanting to adopt a similar approach
66 On the back of your work launch a public campaign to encourage home owners, amateur gardeners and allotment holders to follow suit in reducing and stopping their use of pesticides / herbicides.
Tree pit sprayed with weedkiller (top) versus a tree pit where plants have been allowed to bloom.
The main goal of Year 3 is to end the use of pesticides on all remaining streets and pavements.
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The case for a Pesticide-Free London: The benefits for the city’s residents and urban biodiversity, plus a roadmap for delivery
Annex Motion put before London Assembly on 4th July 2019 and adopted unanimously. The full text of the motion is as follows: This Assembly notes:
66 the growing body of scientific evidence showing a link between glyphosate exposure and an increased risk of cancer;
66 the spraying of glyphosate in London is causing concern among residents and elected representatives about its potential harmful effects on children, animals and wildlife on our streets, housing estates and parks;
66 the contracting staff who carry out this work need to be protected from harm;
66 The Mayor’s commitment in the Environment Strategy to “reduce the use of pesticides and peatbased products, such as compost”;
66 the work of Transport for London (TfL) with suppliers and contractors to explore safer alternatives such as hot foam, for essential vegetation management and weed control; the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham was the first council in London to cease the use of glyphosate, to support biodiversity and protect habitat against any long-term chemical effect;
In light of the public and occupational health concerns about glyphosate exposure and the need to protect habitat and biodiversity we call on the Mayor of London to:
66 Bring forward an action plan and timetable for a major reduction, to zero over time, in the spraying of glyphosate on GLA land and the TfL estate, prioritising ensuring that tracksides are cleared using mechanical rather than chemical methods to guarantee safety and
66 call on London boroughs to cease the spraying of glyphosate in all council operations as soon as possible. To manage this process, we ask the Mayor of London to support a London Councils working group for London borough representatives, specialists and other key land managers in London to work towards the removal of this and any other harmful herbicides. Where there are problems with invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed and where there is a duty to eradicate, then glyphosate may be used until an acceptable non-chemical alternative becomes available. But its use should be limited to stem injection rather than spraying.
66 other London Boroughs such as Hackney and Croydon are trialling non-chemical weed removal and exploring alternatives; and
66 in June 2019 the German state-owned rail operator Deutsche Bahn announced it would stop using glyphosate on its tracks and is looking for substitutes to replace the widely used glyphosate herbicide.
Pesticide Action Network UK PAN UK is based in Brighton. We are the only UK charity focused solely on addressing the harm caused by chemical pesticides. We work tirelessly to apply pressure to governments, regulators, policy makers, industry and retailers to reduce the impact of harmful pesticides. Find out more about our work at: www.pan-uk.org
The Green Hub The Brighthelm Centre North Road Brighton BN1 1YD Telephone: 01273 964230 Email: admin@pan-uk.org