13 May 2022
Pesticide Action Network UK recently launched their Pesticide-Free London campaign which encourages politicians and local authorities to set a target to eliminate harmful pesticide use in our nation’s capital.
Keep Britain Tidy and the Green Flag Award programme have now pledged their support for the campaign and PAN UK's accompanying manifesto.
Phasing out the unnecessary use of harmful pesticides will make London's parks and green spaces safer for people and the planet. Therefore, like many other European cities that have already taken action this must become a priority.
The Campaign
Full details of the campaign are available here: https://www.pan-uk.org/pesticide-free-london/
One-third of London’s 32 Boroughs have already phased out, or significantly reduced, their use of pesticides, while others have commitments in place to take action. London is already one of the greenest cities in the world and the first to be designated a National Park City.
As well as calling for enhanced political commitment as part of this campaign and action to be taken - PAN UK are providing information, bespoke advice and other direct support to London borough councils to help them go pesticide-free. They have also produced dedicated resources for local authorities.
Keith Tyrell, Director of PAN UK said:
"It’s fantastic news that the Green Flag Award programme is supporting the Pesticide-Free London Campaign. As one of the greenest cities in the world, London's local parks make up a large proportion of the available urban space. By going pesticide-free they can make a valuable contribution towards reducing the amount of toxic chemicals that both residents and wildlife are exposed to on a daily basis. Let’s make our capital city pesticide-free to help lead the way for the rest of the UK"
Green Flag Award and pesticides
Pesticide Action Network UK were one of the initial founders of the Green Flag Award. One of the founding principles was calling for the elimination of the use of pesticides in parks and green spaces. For over 25 years the programme has been one of the main drivers to encourage and incentivise local authorities to address this issue.
The Green Flag Award guidance says:
“In the interests of protecting the health of users and staff on the site, pesticides and chemical fertilisers should not be used.” and;
“A site should be able to demonstrate that it has done all that it can to reduce chemical use to an absolute minimum on site.”
Click here for "Raising the Standard" the Green Flag Award guidance manual
Paul Todd, Green Flag Award manager for Keep Britain Tidy said:
"For 26 years the Green Flag Award scheme has been calling for the reduction and eventual elimination of pesticide use in our parks and green spaces. We are delighted to support this important campaign and will continue to provide advice and guidance to our Green Flag Award network to make the necessary changes to go pesticide free.”
Further Guidance:
A number of resources for land managers, written by PAN UK, including a "Pesticide Free in 3 Years" e-book are also available to download from the Green Flag Award Resources Hub or on the PAN UK website: https://www.pan-uk.org/
Who are PAN UK?
Pesticide Action Network UK are the only UK charity focused solely on tackling the problems caused by pesticides and promoting safe and sustainable alternatives in agriculture, urban areas, homes and gardens. PAN UK work tirelessly to apply pressure on governments, regulators, policy makers, industry and retailers to reduce the impacts of harmful pesticides to both human health and the environment.
They strive:
- To eliminate hazardous pesticides
- To reduce dependence on pesticides
- To promote ecologically sound, and socially just, alternatives to chemical pest control
For more information visit: https://www.pan-uk.org/about-us/
