A new independent review of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council’s weed management programme has raised serious concerns about the widespread use of pesticides and herbicides across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
The analysis carried out by local environmental researcher Steve Harper, found that 49 of the 51 chemicals used by the council in 2024 – 96 per cent – are classified as harmful to aquatic life. Additionally, eight of the 14 products also contain ingredients recognised by the Forest Stewardship Council UK as highly hazardous pesticides under the FAO / WHO International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management. Two products used by BCP contain chemicals listed on the Fairtrade International Red List, which prohibits their use in Fairtrade-certified products.
Research shows that modern pesticides are now being detected in English rivers, posing significant risks to aquatic ecosystems. Studies suggest that when pesticides mix in the environment, they may become more harmful due to the so-called ‘cocktail effect’.
While other UK councils are moving away from pesticide use – 53 towns and cities are now pesticide-free or phasing them out – BCP continues to apply glyphosate and other harmful products in public spaces. The BCP council website describes it as a “regulated approved herbicide, considered safe to use across the world.” However, the EU’s latest decision reflects growing concerns about its long-term impacts and reflects a more cautious approach.
Under the European Commission license terms, Member States—including the UK, which still aligns with certain EU pesticide regulations—are urged to minimise or prohibit glyphosate use in public areas. Directive 2009/128/EC introduced stringent conditions aimed at safeguarding public health and the environment. This includes parks, playgrounds, and gardens, where exposure risks are higher for vulnerable populations such as children and pets. The Directive promotes and prioritises public safety.
Safe alternatives such as manual weeding, thermal treatments, or organic herbicides could become more prominent in public maintenance strategies.
Mr Harper has submitted his findings to the BCP Council Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which is due to meet in October, urging councillors to investigate the issues raised and explore alternatives to chemical weed control.
It is deeply concerning that almost all of the chemicals used by BCP Council are toxic to aquatic life. These substances don’t just kill weeds—they put our rivers, pollinators, and even human health at risk. Other towns and cities across the UK are proving that safer alternatives exist. BCP must urgently commit to phasing out glyphosate and pesticides in public spaces and adopt more sustainable approaches.
A Freedom of Information request by Pesticide Action Network UK revealed that BCP Council spent £217,552 on purchasing and applying herbicides last year.
The report closes by calling on BCP Council to trial non-chemical methods of weed management, learn from Dorset Council’s pilot projects, and do more to raise public awareness about the safe disposal of household pesticides.
If people are concerned by the findings of the report, they can take action by visiting Pesticide Action Network’s website and using their easy tool to ask BCP Council to go pesticide free by declaring BCP a pesticide-free town. More than fifty councils in the UK have already taken this step.
