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Dear John
This week saw the launch of the 6th edition of Be Slavery Free’s Chocolate Scorecard ([link removed]) . It ranks Tony’s Chocolonely and Ritter Sport as among the most sustainable chocolate companies in the world.
Put together with support from PAN UK, the ranking is based on traceability and transparency across supply chains. It looks at whether companies pay farmers a living income, efforts to prevent the use of child labour, action on climate and deforestation, their support of agroforestry and eliminating the use of harmful pesticides.
It’s no co-incidence that the scorecard was published just before the Easter holiday so do refer to the ranking if you are planning to do any chocolate egg shopping. Invest your hard-earned cash in companies that are not turning a blind eye to the effects of harmful pesticides on farmer health and the environment.
And find out which companies received the ‘bad egg’ award.
READ MORE ([link removed])
Or go directly to the scorecard here. ([link removed])
** Support the Early Day Motion to phase out urban pesticides
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The second reading of Sian Berry MP's bill, which was tabled in parliament in October last year, is scheduled to take place on 25th April in the House of Commons.
If passed, the bill would ban local councils in England from using pesticides in public spaces (followed by other public authorities). This is the first time that legislation has been put forward to the UK Parliament on this topic, so it's crucial that we can build as much cross-party support for it as possible.
Please take a moment to send a quick email to your MP ([link removed]) asking that they act to show their support. Even if you don’t live in England, your MP can still back this initiative.
This is an important opportunity and we want to make as much noise as possible.
READ MORE ([link removed])
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Caption: New Cavendish St London 18 June 2024. Credit George Hudson.
** UK National Action Plan on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides
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After years of waiting, the UK Government has finally published the Pesticides National Action Plan (NAP) ([link removed]) .
We are pleased that it includes the introduction of the UK’s first ever pesticide reduction target of 10%. The adoption of a target which considers both how much of a pesticide is used (volume) and how harmful it is (toxicity) is an excellent step forward, one that we have been demanding for many years.
However, we had hoped for a higher target percentage and it currently only applies to the arable sector unfortunately, so still plenty to do.
READ MORE ([link removed])
** Pesticide-Free Schools
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It’s that time of year when many schools across the country will be applying pesticides (mostly herbicides) to manage weeds across their grounds. As children are particularly vulnerable to these chemicals, we have designed a policy to help schools eliminate their use ([link removed]) and adopt more sustainable alternatives.
Do share it widely if you can.
READ MORE ([link removed])
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** Glyphosate licence renewal
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As many of you are aware, the license for glyphosate (the most widely used herbicide in the world) was supposed to be up for renewal in Great Britain in December this year. Last week, the UK government announced that this has now been delayed until December 2026.
We will use the time to shine a light on the harmful effects this pesticide has on human health and the environment and to lobby for change.
For more information on the health impacts of glyphosate, you may like to listen to a fascinating recent lecture by Professor Michael Antoniou ([link removed]) , a molecular biologist at King’s College London and a world leader in glyphosate toxicology.
(Start the video at 20.30mins)
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WATCH ([link removed])
** Pets and pesticides webinar
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In case you missed it! As we head into spring, our pets’ risk of exposure to pesticides increases. Learn where there may be hazards, the symptoms of pesticide poisoning to look out for and why you should avoid some very toxic tick and flea treatments. We are joined by Professor Dave Goulson and Rosemary Perkins who share some of their research findings in this useful webinar ([link removed]) .
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WATCH ([link removed])
The fight for a healthier and more sustainable future continues.
Thanks for being part of it.
In solidarity,
the team at PAN UK
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