Izzy Lepone 25 April 2025

Councils could be forbidden from using destructive pesticides in parks

Councils could be forbidden from using destructive pesticides in parks image
© Virrage Images / Shutterstock.com.

MPs will today debate a proposal that could see the use of 'toxic' weedkillers by councils banned.

MP and former Green Party leader Sian Berry has brought The Plant Protection Products (Prohibition on Public Sector Use) Bill to Parliament, with a view to implement a ‘ban on biodiversity-destroying pesticide use in urban areas’, effective from the year 2028.

The Bill was proposed with the aim of prohibiting the use of certain weed destroying chemicals in public spaces, effective from the year 2028.

Ms Berry told The Daily Mail the Green Party aims to ensure that ‘at the very least, local authorities, town and cities don't use the really bleakly effective and quite toxic chemical glyphosate’.

She added: ‘it's going to have a really dramatic effect on the biodiversity of streets and parks and council estates and other areas that local authorities manage’.

Pesticide Action Network UK identifies glyphosate as a widely accessible chemical that can be purchased in supermarkets or garden centres. Despite being categorised as ‘probably carcinogenic’ by the World Health Organization in 2015, the herbicide is still commonly used across agricultural and public sectors, to the detriment of both the environment and local communities.

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist

Oxfordshire County Council
£62215 - £72293
How about joining The Clinical Team at Oxfordshire County Council in our new Community Family Clinic initiative? Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2114e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£37,035 - £37,938
Are you an experienced and motivated professional looking to take the next step in your traffic management career? Cumbria / Various
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Peripatetic Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£16,415.00 - £16,675.23 Grade 4, 24.5 hours, Permanent
Are you caring, compassionate, and friendly? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Peripatetic Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£14,070.00 - £14,293.05 Grade 4, 21 hours, Permanent
Are you caring, compassionate, and friendly? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Recruitment Support Officer

Durham County Council
£25,584 to £27,711 p.a. (Grade 5) pay award pending
We are looking for a Recruitment Support Officer to join our team on a temporary basis until 31 March 2026. In this role, you will provide a comprehe Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner