Agenda item

Motion to Phase Out Synthetic Pesticides on Council-Owned Land

South Kesteven District Council commits to phasing out the use of all synthetic pesticides, including glyphosate, on Council-owned land by both Council operatives and third-party contractors, through the implementation of a Pesticide Elimination Strategy to be adopted by 2026. The development of this Strategy will be overseen by the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee, be subject to public consultation, and will outline a detailed plan for the gradual, phased elimination of all synthetic pesticides on Council land within 24 months of its adoption. This motion initiates the process.

Reasons:

• Nature Crisis: Recent research highlights a significant decline in insect populations across Europe, including the UK, which is one of the most nature-depleted countries globally. A study using a ‘splatometer’ method revealed a 50% reduction in insect splatters on vehicle registration plates between 2004 and 2019. This trend mirrors a broader decline in insect abundance, which has fallen by up to 80% at some European sites over the past two decades. We have witnessed a silent summer, with pitiful populations of butterflies and wasps, among many other species. This is troubling as decreased insect abundance threatens ecosystem health by disrupting pollination, food chains and soil fertility. Reducing synthetic pesticide use on land we control will contribute to halting this decline and support nature.

• Public Health and Safety: Phasing out synthetic pesticides on Council land will significantly reduce health risks for residents, particularly children and pets, by minimising exposure to harmful chemical residues. These chemicals can linger in the environment, contaminating soil, air, and water, potentially entering the food chain and affecting public health. Pesticides also pose a serious threat to watercourses, as run-off can contaminate rivers and groundwater, harming aquatic life and degrading water quality. By reducing pesticide use, we not only protect public health but also preserve cleaner water sources and support healthier ecosystems.

• Respect for Agricultural Practices: This policy focusses solely on the management of Council-owned land under the Council’s responsibility and will not impact or interfere with the agricultural methods or practices employed by local farmers and private landowners. It aims to enhance the stewardship of public land while respecting existing agricultural operations. We recognise and value the essential role that pesticides play in food production and acknowledge the significant contributions of our farmers to the economy and national resilience. Lincolnshire’s status as the nation’s breadbasket is a point of immense pride and this policy is intended to support effective public land management without affecting agricultural productivity.

• Strong Precedent: Furthermore, it is noteworthy that numerous cities across France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, and many other locations throughout Europe and the UK, including Cambridge, have successfully eliminated the use of synthetic pesticides. These serve as compelling examples of how urban areas can transition to more sustainable practices that protect public health and the environment. Their achievements highlight the viability of phasing out harmful chemicals in favour of alternative pest control methods, demonstrating that such measures not only benefit local ecosystems but also enhance the quality of life for residents. By learning from these successful initiatives, our Council can confidently pursue a similar path towards a healthier and more sustainable community.

Implementation Plan:

• Initiating Strategy Development: The heart of this motion is to formally initiate the creation of a Pesticide Elimination Strategy, which will outline the gradual, phased removal of synthetic pesticides, including glyphosate, from all Council-owned land.
• Immediate Action: The Council will commit to stopping synthetic pesticide use on Council land wherever possible while the Strategy is being developed.
• Promotion of Alternatives: The Council will explore and promote non-chemical alternatives for weed and pest control as part of this process.
• Land Management Review: A review of current land management practices will be conducted to ensure compliance with the objectives of the forthcoming Strategy.
• Public Consultation and Oversight: The Pesticide Elimination Strategy will be developed under the supervision of the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee and will include public consultation. The Strategy is to be adopted by 2026, outlining a clear plan for the full elimination of synthetic pesticides within 24 months of its adoption.

Councillor Ben Green proposed the following motion:

Motion to Phase Out Synthetic Pesticides on Council-Owned Land

South Kesteven District Council commits to phasing out the use of all synthetic pesticides, including glyphosate, on Council-owned land by both Council operatives and third-party contractors, through the implementation of a Pesticide Elimination Strategy to be adopted by 2026. The development of this Strategy will be overseen by the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee, be subject to public consultation, and will outline a detailed plan for the gradual, phased elimination of all synthetic pesticides on Council land within 24 months of its adoption. This motion initiates the process.

Reasons:

• Nature Crisis: Recent research highlights a significant decline in insect populations across Europe, including the UK, which is one of the most nature-depleted countries globally. A study using a ‘splatometer’ method revealed a 50% reduction in insect splatters on vehicle registration plates between 2004 and 2019. This trend mirrors a broader decline in insect abundance, which has fallen by up to 80% at some European sites over the past two decades. We have witnessed a silent summer, with pitiful populations of butterflies and wasps, among many other species. This is troubling as decreased insect abundance threatens ecosystem health by disrupting pollination, food chains and soil fertility. Reducing synthetic pesticide use on land we control will contribute to halting this decline and support nature.

• Public Health and Safety: Phasing out synthetic pesticides on Council land will significantly reduce health risks for residents, particularly children and pets, by minimising exposure to harmful chemical residues. These chemicals can linger in the environment, contaminating soil, air, and water, potentially entering the food chain and affecting public health. Pesticides also pose a serious threat to watercourses, as run-off can contaminate rivers and groundwater, harming aquatic life and degrading water quality. By reducing pesticide use, we not only protect public health but also preserve cleaner water sources and support healthier ecosystems.

• Respect for Agricultural Practices: This policy focusses solely on the management of Council-owned land under the Council’s responsibility and will not impact or interfere with the agricultural methods or practices employed by local farmers and private landowners. It aims to enhance the stewardship of public land while respecting existing agricultural operations. We recognise and value the essential role that pesticides play in food production and acknowledge the significant contributions of our farmers to the economy and national resilience. Lincolnshire’s status as the nation’s breadbasket is a point of immense pride and this policy is intended to support effective public land management without affecting agricultural productivity.

• Strong Precedent: Furthermore, it is noteworthy that numerous cities across France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, and many other locations throughout Europe and the UK, including Cambridge, have successfully eliminated the use of synthetic pesticides. These serve as compelling examples of how urban areas can transition to more sustainable practices that protect public health and the environment. Their achievements highlight the viability of phasing out harmful chemicals in favour of alternative pest control methods, demonstrating that such measures not only benefit local ecosystems but also enhance the quality of life for residents. By learning from these successful initiatives, our Council can confidently pursue a similar path towards a healthier and more sustainable community.

Implementation Plan:

• Initiating Strategy Development: The heart of this motion is to formally initiate the creation of a Pesticide Elimination Strategy, which will outline the gradual, phased removal of synthetic pesticides, including glyphosate, from all Council-owned land.
• Immediate Action: The Council will commit to stopping synthetic pesticide use on Council land wherever possible while the Strategy is being developed.
• Promotion of Alternatives: The Council will explore and promote non-chemical alternatives for weed and pest control as part of this process.
• Land Management Review: A review of current land management practices will be conducted to ensure compliance with the objectives of the forthcoming Strategy.

Public Consultation and Oversight: The Pesticide Elimination Strategy will be developed under the supervision of the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee and will include public consultation. The Strategy is to be adopted by 2026, outlining a clear plan for the full elimination of synthetic pesticides within 24 months of its adoption.

The motion was seconded.

The following views were raised during the introduction to, and debate on the motion:

·         Feedback from the Cabinet Members for Corporate Governance and Licensing and Environment and Waste had been incorporated into the motion.

·         The Pesticides Action Network had supplied useful advice on this motion, which had in turn been endorsed by Butterfly Conservation.

·         The motion wished for the Council to adopt a Pesticide Elimination Strategy by 2026, with a plan to phase out synthetic pesticides by 2028. This aimed to safeguard South Kesteven, ensuring parks and open spaces were safer for children, pets and wildlife.

·         Research had linked the use of synthetic pesticides to cancers in humans and animals.

·         The mover of the motion called on the Chairman of Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee to lead the development of this Strategy with public consultation and engagement. Green colleagues were implored to second this.

·         This motion would affect around 7% of land in the District. There were very few problematic invasive species in the District; this motion would not make elimination of these more complex.

·         Bees were very important to the environment.

·         The work that farmers did to feed the nation was vital.

An amendment to the motion was moved and seconded:

That Full Council refers the matter of use of synthetic pesticides, including Glyphosate, on council lands, to the Environment OSC for thorough and exhaustive review, in collaboration with the cabinet member and the mover of the original motion, Cllr Green, other interested Members, and/or officers or bodies deemed appropriate by the Chair and Vice Chair.

This review will include, but not be limited to:

•        current use-cases

•        volume of pesticides used,

•        areas of use,

•        schedules,

•        history of complaints or misuse

•        Any other matters the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee deem appropriate and necessary to review our current approach

As part of this review, the stakeholder parties above will carefully and thoroughly consider any new draft policies, consultations, or policy amendments this matter.

It would be expected that the matter of synthetic pesticides be added to the Environment OSC work plan, and that the matter is reviewed and investigated in a timely fashion, the schedule of which to be determined at the first viewing by this committee.

The amendment was debated and the following points highlighted:

·         The timescales referenced in the original motion were generous and were not present in the amendment.

·         The mover of the amendment was happy to accept an amendment to include Rural and Communities Overview & Scrutiny Committee as part of the review.

·         There was pre-determination within the original motion. The amendment was not pro-pesticide and had a clear direction of travel. Good governance and well-informed decisions were crucial.

Note:  Councillors Lee Steptoe and Barry Dobson left the Council Chamber and did not return.

·         The issue deserved a full debate on a detailed technical report from officers. The right route for this was through Overview and Scrutiny as there were differing degrees of knowledge around pesticides within the Council Chamber. A report could then return to Full Council as a well-balanced judgement.

A further amendment was suggested to include a definitive timetable, this second amendment was accepted and added to the first amendment.  With this change, the mover of the original motion was content to incorporate these changes into their motion. The substantive motion now read:

That Full Council refers the matter of use of synthetic pesticides, including Glyphosate, on council lands, to a joint meeting of the Environment OSC and Rural & Communities OSC for thorough and exhaustive review, in collaboration with the cabinet member and the mover of the original motion, Councillor Green, other interested Members, and/or officers or bodies deemed appropriate by the Chairs and Vice Chairs.

This review will conclude by the end of 2025 and will include, but not be limited to:

•      current use-cases

•      volume of pesticides used,

•      areas of use,

•      schedules,

•      history of complaints or misuse

•      Any other matters the joint meeting of the two OSCs deem appropriate and necessary to review our current approach

As part of this review, the stakeholder parties above will carefully and thoroughly consider any new draft policies, consultations, or policy amendments this matter.

It would be expected that the matter of synthetic pesticides be added to the joint OSCs work plan, and that the matter is reviewed and investigated in a timely fashion, the schedule of which to be determined at the first viewing by these committees.

Having been moved and seconded, following a vote the substantive motion was AGREED.