Dorset Council to debate declaring 'nature emergency'
TV Presenter Chris Packham says local councils need to do more to protect the environment
TV presenter and wildlife campaigner Chris Packham had welcomed Dorset Council’s desire to do more to protect nature – but says it does not go far enough.
Dorset councillors will debate a motion on Thursday evening to declare a ‘nature emergency’ in the county.
Among the details is a call to ban weedkillers “where possible.”
Mr Packham welcomes the nature emergency move but says the weedkillers and other chemicals need to be banned outright.
Said the campaigner in a letter to the council: “I applaud that Dorset Council has a motion to declare a nature emergency- using the right language at critical time- a time when our wildlife locally and globally is suffering catastrophic declines. But to continue using Glyphosate across Dorset’s urban areas is simply mind-boggling.
"We know Glyphosate-based products have the potential to cause significant damage to human health and to the environment- why take that risk?
"Wilder urban areas are better for nature and people- who can argue that our parks, streets and towns are only boosted by the presence of bees and butterflies.
"In a biodiversity crisis we need leaders- this is a huge opportunity for the council to lead and demonstrate that emergency situations require ambitious, bold action.
"I love Dorset, we’ve filmed many of the Spring/Autumn watches in Arne- let’s keep the buzz in Dorset!”
He says the council should reconsider and agree to stop the use of the chemical within an agreed timeframe: “I recognise this is a challenge, we all recognise this is a challenge. However, the nature emergency demands we change our practices, because nature needs our critical care to recover, and to restore good health,” said the broadcaster.
Local campaigner Caroline Dennet, who contacted Mr Packham, says the weedkiller is non-selective and kills anything it is sprayed on. She is now asking for the reference to glyphosate and other chemicals to be worded in a stronger way when debated at Thursday evening’s council meeting.