Cumberland Council is set to consider a Green Party motion to phase out the use of glyphosate and other synthetic herbicides and pesticides on council-managed land.

The proposal calls for a three-year plan to end pesticide use, including by subcontractors.

More than 80 UK councils have already taken steps to ban or reduce glyphosate use, say Green Party councillors Jill Perry and Helen Davison.

Glyphosate, a powerful herbicide, effectively kills most plants but raises concerns about its impact on birds, insects, and the broader ecosystem.

Perry and Davison have urged the council to acknowledge that glyphosate use harms the natural world and society. Their motion also encourages engaging communities to adopt pesticide-free practices and emphasizes the benefits of eliminating such chemicals.

The proposal suggests inviting residents to trial alternative weed management methods as part of the transition. The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that the motion aims to involve local people in creating a sustainable, pesticide-free environment while protecting biodiversity.

The plan would establish Cumberland Council as part of a growing movement to prioritise environmentally friendly land management practices.

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