Westminster, London – A proposed ban on toxic weedkillers in the public sector could give vital breathing space to struggling wildlife species such as swifts, starlings, and toads, Green Party MP Sian Berry has said, ahead of a crucial parliamentary debate.
Ms Berry’s Plant Protection Products (Prohibition on Public Sector Use) Bill, set to be discussed in Parliament this Friday, seeks to prohibit the use of professional-grade herbicides—most notably glyphosate—by local councils and public bodies on land such as parks, verges, and communal spaces by 2028, with a full extension to all public authorities by 2031.
Speaking to the PA news agency, the MP for Brighton Pavilion expressed concern over the current government’s stance on environmental protections, describing it as “worrying”. However, she believes the proposed ban represents an opportunity for MPs to “genuinely do something for nature” and offset some of the damaging policies seen in recent years.
“We’re trying to ensure local authorities stop using bleakly effective but highly toxic chemicals like glyphosate in our towns and cities,” said Ms Berry. “These chemicals not only threaten human health through potential exposure, but they also wreak havoc on local biodiversity—damaging habitats for insects, birds, amphibians, and more.”
The UK is currently facing what experts describe as a “nature crisis”, with widespread declines in insect populations that support a broader ecosystem. In turn, species like swifts and starlings, which feed exclusively on airborne insects, are struggling to survive, particularly in urban environments.
“Swifts are in huge decline. They do nothing all day but fly around eating insects. And if there are no insects, they simply can’t live,” Ms Berry explained. “Likewise, starlings and other small birds rely heavily on insects, which need wild plants and habitats to thrive.”
Toads, too, could benefit from reduced weedkiller use. Ms Berry recounted a local example from Brighton, where a narrow pedestrian passage known as a “twitten” is affectionately dubbed the “toad road”. It serves as a migration path for amphibians moving between urban gardens. “Spraying herbicides along these routes destroys the vegetation they rely on for cover during migration—it’s a small but crucial habitat.”
The MP also criticised the government’s language surrounding green spaces, such as referring to sections of the green belt as “grey belt” or portraying overgrown areas as undesirable. “These supposedly scruffy places are often incredibly biodiverse. If we’re to develop them, it must be done carefully and with due regard for wildlife.”
Ms Berry acknowledged the financial pressures faced by councils, saying they’ve been “horrendously squeezed” and manual weeding is more labour-intensive. However, she called for ring-fenced funding to enable a shift away from chemical sprays, suggesting that the long-term environmental benefits far outweigh the short-term costs.
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Some councils have already taken steps. South Kesteven District Council in Lincolnshire recently pledged to cut back on glyphosate use, seeking “viable alternatives” to better protect biodiversity while balancing costs and safety.
Meanwhile, Brighton and Hove City Council controversially reintroduced a controlled form of glyphosate application last year after five years of manual weeding. They cited damage to footpaths and blocked drains due to overgrowth, although officials assured the public that wildflowers would be spared unless they posed a hazard.
Environmental campaigners have welcomed Ms Berry’s bill. Richard Benwell, chief executive of the Wildlife and Countryside Link, said, “This is an excellent proposal that would help free our urban environment from harmful and unnecessary chemical use. Glyphosate and similar chemicals are not only a threat to wildlife, but also contribute to the broader toxic load in our ecosystems and waterways.”
As the debate approaches, supporters hope this initiative will signal a genuine commitment to restoring urban biodiversity and making British towns and cities safer and greener for people and wildlife alike.
