Public talk by Extinction Rebellion at Newark Library to challenge Newark and Sherwood District Council’s pesticide use

An environmental group is challenging the use of pesticides in our area as a form of weed and pest control.

Newark and Sherwood Extinction Rebellion plans to hold a public meeting as a way of opening up “district-wide debate” about the the practice of spraying pesticides, such as glyphosate, by councils around the UK — including here in Newark and Sherwood District Council.

The talk is to be held at Newark Library on Wednesday, January 22, from 7.30pm, and will feature pesticides expert Nick Mole, from the Pesticide Action Network UK, as a guest speaker.

The event is free to attend and all are welcome to join.

Co-organiser Carl Braithwaite said: “Each year the tell-tale signs of pesticides appear on our streets and in our children’s play areas, as plants turn yellow, die back and then degrade, often by the side of paths, or around the base of trees or bins.

“But what really bought the issue home to me was when I saw the spraying in action in Newark Cemetery last spring.

“I was cycling past on my way to work and saw figures in hazmat suits and masks spraying around the gravestones. I couldn’t help wonder what they were spraying that needed such a high level of protection for the workers.”

He suspected the use of glyphosate — which the World Health Organisation has linked to a number of health conditions — and so submitted a freedom of information request to Newark and Sherwood District Council to find out more.

Mr Braithwaite said the information he was provided shows that it has been used in a number of locations across the area.

Extinction Rebellion say that glyphosate also impacts on biodiversity, soil, water courses and amphibian populations.

Wendy Patterson, co-founder of Protect Newark’s Green Spaces, said: “We have to be concerned about the routine use of these chemicals, particularly in areas where children play and people walk their dogs.

“We wanted to open up the debate locally and so invited Nick Mole to give a public talk on the issues. We were delighted when he took up the offer and we are sure that this could help raise awareness locally.

“We have also invited local councillors to come to the talk to learn more about the issue so that they can take informed decisions locally on how to make reductions in pesticide use.”