What prompted Southwark to embark on the process of developing a pesticides strategy or pest management policy?
Southwark Council has had a commitment to becoming a greener and environmentally friendly borough which involves a more pro-active approach to the protection of the environment and our desire to meet the concerns of the community regarding the use of pesticides in our parks and open spaces. The pesticide strategy will constitute a significant contribution to aims of sustainable development within Southwark and the development of Local Agenda 21 issues. Our public consultations supported the view that pesticide use should be reduced or eliminated. What options have been explored in developing and implementing the policy? Having identified that a policy was needed we initially gathered information from any source which had something to offer. This included the British Agrochemicals Association, ADAS, the Pesticides Trust [now PAN UK], various pesticide manufacturers and manufacturers of alternative pest control products. We also approached neighbouring authorities to see if any had gone
