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

Standards, Compliance and Development Manager - Children’s residential provisions

Oxfordshire County Council
£57187.00 - £60485.00
This role will lead on Quality Assurance, Standards development, and Regulatory compliance for Oxfordshire’s residential children’s provision, including the unregulated reforms 2022. The post holder will conduct internal inspections within the registe Countywide
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Streetcare LGV Driver / Operative - WMF2112e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£27,711 - £28,624
Westmorland and Furness Council are seeking to employ an enthusiastic and motivated person into a Street Cleansing role Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Specialist Communication Support Worker (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 7, £27,259 - £29,955 (pay award pending)
The City of Doncaster Council puts improving the life of its residents at the centre of everything we do. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Apprentice Social Value

Durham County Council
£14,566
Earn. Learn. Qualify.   Do you want to earn while you learn, with the chance of progression once you qualify? Do you want the opportunity to grow, dev Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Pay Reward and Employment Services Support Officers

Durham County Council
£25,584 to £27,711 p.a. (Grade 5) Pay Award Pending
An exciting opportunity has arisen for ten Pay, Reward & Employment Services Support Officers to join our CIPP accredited team.   WHAT IS INVOLVED?  Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner