PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
Pesticide use in towns and cities (8 May 2024)

Motion Details

That this House recognises the harm caused to both human health and the environment by the use of pesticides such as glyphosate in our villages, towns, cities and public spaces; notes that glyphosate was designated as probably carcinogenic to humans by the World Health Organisation in 2015, is increasingly being linked to Parkinson’s, and can be toxic to wildlife including bees; further notes that overuse of pesticides in towns and cities is destroying areas that wildlife, including birds, insects, bees and hedgehogs, rely on for food and shelter, and that pesticides run off hard surfaces such as pavements, thereby contaminating water courses and harming aquatic life; commends the more than 100 local authorities across the UK that have either ended their use of pesticides or taken significant steps towards doing so despite limited funds and resources, including by pursuing manual methods such as hand weeding and strimming, new technologies like hot foam and mechanical brushes, and by embracing greener public spaces which benefit both human wellbeing and wildlife; further recognises the importance of ensuring that infrastructure and public spaces remain accessible to all users, including those with accessibility needs; therefore urges local authorities to consult with local disability stakeholders regarding their transition to non-chemical alternatives for weed control; and calls for legislation to be introduced to implement a national phase-out of all pesticide use in public areas under local authority control as has been done in France and Luxembourg.

Sponsored by:
Caroline Lucas (Green Party)

EDMS Sponsor By Party

Party
Votes
%
 
Independent
5
24%
 
 
Labour
4
19%
 
 
Plaid Cymru
3
14%
 
 
Scottish National Party
3
14%
 
 
Liberal Democrat
2
10%
 
 
Green Party
1
5%
 
 
Social Democratic & Labour Party
1
5%
 
 
Democratic Unionist Party
1
5%
 
 
Conservative
1
5%
 
Sponsor List (21 sponsors)
Party
Member
Constituency
Ind
Richard Burgon
Leeds East
Ind
Ian Byrne
Liverpool West Derby
LD
Sarah Dyke
Glastonbury and Somerton
Ind
Jonathan Edwards
SDLP
Claire Hanna
Belfast South and Mid Down
LD
Wera Hobhouse
Bath
PC
Ben Lake
Ceredigion Preseli
Green
Caroline Lucas (Sponsor)
Lab
Rachael Maskell
York Central
Ind
John McDonnell
Hayes and Harlington
SNP
John McNally
PC
Liz Saville Roberts
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
DUP
Jim Shannon
Strangford
Lab
Cat Smith
Lancaster and Wyre
Con
Sir Desmond Swayne
New Forest West
SNP
Alison Thewliss
SNP
Richard Thomson
Ind
Claudia Webbe
Lab
Mick Whitley
Lab
Nadia Whittome
Nottingham East
PC
Hywel Williams

Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0.