Vow to cut pesticide use in Portsmouth
The aim is to use safe and affordable alternatives
Portsmouth City Council is continuing to cut down on its use of pesticides on council-owned land, including one which could cause cancer.
Cabinet members were recently provided with recommendations to curtail pesticide usage across various council services responsible for maintaining public spaces, residential areas, and infrastructure.
Pesticides are being used across the city, including public spaces, communal areas, residential areas, highway infrastructure, green spaces, play areas, allotments, cemeteries, and sports grounds.
Notably, glyphosate, a commonly used weedkiller, has been a subject of controversy since the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified it as a “probable human carcinogen.”
However, manufacturers of glyphosate dispute this classification, asserting that their product is safe for use. Despite extensive scientific examination, the evidence surrounding glyphosate’s safety is complex and contradictory.
Councillor Steve Pitt, leader of the council, said: “I think we were happy to note the important piece of work and to assist us in regularly monitoring how we are ever reducing the amount of pesticides we use as a council.”
The parks department has already achieved a reduction in glyphosate use from 70 to 50 litres annually since 2017.
Housing services have decreased its consumption from 166 litres in 2020 to a mere 0.03 litres in 2023.
Highways significantly dropped from 900 litres in 2017 to 100 litres in the past year.
The scrutiny panel’s recommendations include a 25 per cent reduction in pesticide use compared to 2021 levels, with an additional five per cent decrease targeted by 2026.
Strategies to achieve this include minimising weed-prone areas through ground-type alterations, such as replacing paving with green spaces and adjusting planting types.
Furthermore, the panel suggests closely monitoring the development and promotion of “safe affordable alternatives” to pesticides, advocating for their swift adoption.
Another recommendation suggests that the cabinet should seek guidance from local environmental groups like Friends of the Earth, RSPB, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.
The proposed approach involves actively engaging local residents in conducting regular, small-scale surveys, such as of vegetation, wildlife, and soil quality, to establish a baseline. These surveys would monitor the impact of reducing pesticide use and other green policies.
The council anticipates a follow-up report in November 2024 to update members on the scheme’s progress.