Overview

This bill aims to ban the use of professional plant protection products by local and other public authorities in England for amenity purposes (e.g., parks and public spaces). The ban will be phased in, with local authorities required to comply by 2028 and other public authorities by 2031, with exceptions for uses necessary to prevent serious risks to public health, safety, infrastructure, or the environment.

Description

The Plant Protection Products (Prohibition on Public Sector Use) Bill prohibits the use of professional plant protection products by public sector bodies in England for amenity purposes. This means pesticides designed for use by trained individuals will no longer be used on land managed by local or other public authorities such as national parks. The bill sets a phased approach to the ban:

• Local Authorities: The ban comes into effect on December 31st, 2028.
• Other Public Authorities: The ban comes into effect on December 31st, 2031.

Exceptions exist for situations where the use of these products is needed to prevent serious risks to public health, safety, infrastructure or the environment (e.g., invasive species control). The Secretary of State is required to publish guidance within six months of the bill passing to assist public authorities in complying with the new rules. Failure to comply without reasonable excuse constitutes a criminal offense, punishable by a fine. Prosecutions must be initiated by or on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to significantly increase or decrease government spending. The main cost will be associated with the development and dissemination of the guidance by the Secretary of State and possible enforcement costs in the case of non-compliance. No specific figures were available in the provided bill text.

Groups Affected

The bill will primarily affect:

• Local Authorities in England: They will need to adapt their grounds maintenance practices, potentially incurring costs in switching to alternative methods.
• Other Public Authorities in England: Similar to local authorities, they will need to adjust their practices, finding alternative solutions for weed and pest control.
• Contractors and Suppliers: Companies providing plant protection products to public authorities will see a reduced demand for their services.
• Environmental Groups: These groups may view the bill positively, supporting a reduction in pesticide use and potentially improved biodiversity.

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