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Pesticide Action Network UK

We are the only UK charity focused on tackling the problems caused by pesticides.
Pesticide Action Network UK

Helping Cotton Farmers to Cut Pesticide Use
Pesticide Action Network UK

Are Pesticides Harming Bees?

PAN UK HomeSam Claydon2024-11-14T00:15:36+00:00

PAN UK Updates

Previous UK government weakened pesticide safety limits in blow to consumer protection
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Previous UK government weakened pesticide safety limits in blow to consumer protection

All PAN UK posts, Changing UK policy, Protecting our food

Previous UK government weakened pesticide safety limits in blow to consumer protection

Sam Claydon2024-09-25T11:44:14+01:00September 19th, 2024|

Analysis launched today has revealed that the Conservative government attacked pesticide residue safety limits on a range of common GB [...]

Pollution including pesticides revealed as the greatest threat to healthy soils
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Pollution including pesticides revealed as the greatest threat to healthy soils

All PAN UK posts, Defending the environment

Pollution including pesticides revealed as the greatest threat to healthy soils

Sam Claydon2024-09-16T10:05:01+01:00September 16th, 2024|

by Dr Victoria Burton, Ecologist, Natural History Museum It is widely recognised that human activities are driving global declines in [...]

World’s attention on pesticide-free Paris
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World’s attention on pesticide-free Paris

All PAN UK posts

World’s attention on pesticide-free Paris

Sam Claydon2024-08-28T09:57:03+01:00August 28th, 2024|

As the Paralympics begins, UK nature and health organisations unite with councillors and the public to call for the UK [...]

Find out more about glyphosate - the active ingredient in Roundup

Find out more alternatives to pesticides using our resources section.

Find out more about the work we do to end pesticide use in cotton

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Today, 50 civil society organisations have come to

Today, 50 civil society organisations have come together to call on Brighton & Hove Council to return the city to being pesticide-free in 2025.

The organisations represent a plethora of different communities and voices, all of whom are deeply unhappy with the Council’s decision to return to using glyphosate on the city’s streets this past year. They share a concern for the health of residents, workers, children, pets, wildlife and the natural environment from toxic herbicides.

Glyphosate exposure has been linked to a range of chronic diseases, most notably Non- Hodgkin lymphoma (a type of blood cancer) and Parkinson’s. It has been shown to harm bees and other wildlife, both by impacting upon their health directly and removing habitat they rely on for foraging.

Glyphosate applied to hard surfaces – as in the city – runs off into water sources impacting aquatic species. This contamination is particularly concerning in Brighton & Hove where we rely upon the aquifer for drinking water. That is why both the Environment Agency and Southern Water advised the Council against returning to using glyphosate and other herbicides in December 2023. Southern Water told the Council: “…from a groundwater quality risk perspective we do not support the use of glyphosate within any of the groundwater catchments in Brighton and Worthing from which we abstract drinking water for customers”.

As acknowledged by the Council’s own document from January 2024, even when applied using a controlled-droplet approach, the return to glyphosate will have negative impacts on “biodiversity and nature conservation” and “…does not support the council’s objectives relating to the climate and biodiversity emergency”. The same paper also acknowledges the potential risk to public health.

Fifty towns and cities in the UK are entirely pesticide-free, as is every town and city in France, Denmark and Luxembourg. These places have proven that it is entirely possible to end pesticide use without affecting accessibility or infrastructure.

We are very excited to report that our new Superma

We are very excited to report that our new Supermarket Ranking launched today!

We have ranked the UK’s ten biggest supermarkets on their efforts to protect consumers, farmworkers, and wildlife from pesticides. While some supermarkets are doing MUCH better than others, all ten could be doing more to tackle pesticide harms.

This is particularly true when it comes to protecting bees and other pollinators from pesticides since all of the UK’s ten largest supermarkets continue to use neonicotinoids and other highly bee-toxic pesticides in their global supply chains.

We need supermarkets to move further and faster, and nothing influences them as much as hearing from their customers.

Please join us in urging supermarkets to commit to ending the use of all highly bee-toxic pesticides throughout their global supply chains

Link in bio.

#toxicsupermarkets

Brighton Pavilion MP @sian_berry has just introduc

Brighton Pavilion MP @sian_berry has just introduced a bill in parliament, that would ban local councils and other public authorities from using pesticides in villages, towns and cities.

This is a huge step forward! We hope to see cross-party support for the bill.

This #WorldCottonDay we are celebrating a programm

This #WorldCottonDay we are celebrating a programme that is doubling production of high-quality organic cotton in Benin.

Paul Leode and Elisabeth Degbohoue have been farming their land in Glazoué in Benin’s central Aklampa district, for more than fifteen years. They grow cotton in rotation with pigeon peas, peanuts, sesame and manioc and have received training and support to convert over to organic farming methods, alongside 9,000 other local farmers.

Paul says: “Producing organic cotton is a change of behaviour that has never been easy, but with the conviction and spirit of protecting health and the environment, I have had the courage and the will to overcome the use of chemical inputs.

“Thanks to organic cotton production, I’m able to rotate and combine food crops with growing products to sell without having to worry about contamination. As a result, I no longer need to go to the market to buy food products, because I produce enough to meet my family’s needs.

“[Organic farming] has enabled me to improve our income through a 20% premium on top of the conventional price. It has enabled me to send my children to school.”

Elisabeth says: “My hopes for the future of organic cotton production include spreading the word about its benefits to my family and friends, so as to increase the number of people growing organic cotton.”

She adds that: “Organic farming will help to better protect the environment and that the extra income will help to build local community infrastructure such as wells, shops and access to markets.

Thanks to @lindokuhle.sobekwa @magnumphotos & @textileexchange for these wonderful photos taken in Benin earlier this year.

Read more about this exciting programme on our blog. Link in bio.

Had enough of the council spraying your streets wi

Had enough of the council spraying your streets with weedkiller? Start an opt-out scheme!

Nick Tigg, a Lewes Town Councillor, has done just that in the Lewes suburb where he lives. Tired of @eastsussexcc spraying pesticides all over his pavement, he decided to get his community involved.

95% of his neighbours chose to opt-out of spraying and now tend the pavements themselves. They chat, get to know each other and eat cake. What's not to like?

Nick has written a brilliant 'how-to' guide which can be found on our blog. See link in bio!

And if you start your own group, do send us photos! Tag #pesticidefreetowns

In the UK, pets hold a special place in our hearts

In the UK, pets hold a special place in our hearts.
But the use of pesticides in public spaces is putting the health and wellbeing of animals at risk.

These toxic chemicals are sprayed on the pavements, paths and parks where our pets walk and play. And councils aren’t required to inform residents on when spraying will take place, making them almost impossible to avoid.

A ban on using urban pesticides could help pet owners avoid a trip to the vet. Protect our furry friends.

Sign the petition to ban urban pesticide use.🌱💚

#GoPesticideFree

Link in bio

Let's all be more like @lambeth_council

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01273 964230

The Brighthelm Centre, North Road, Brighton, BN1 1YD