Guernsey Press

Pollinator Project wants a pesticide-free Guernsey

A LOCAL conservation group hopes Guernsey could be the first pesticide-free island and looks to start the conversation on alternative measures.

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Picture By Peter Frankland. 06-09-19 Pollinator Project representatives at a field in the Vale. Talking about the use of glyphosate. L-R - Vanessa Crispini-Adams, Sharon hickman and Barry Wells.. (25713623)

The Pollinator Project works to conserve Guernsey’s wildlife in a number of ways including visiting schools and by creating Pollinator Patches both for people’s gardens and in the community.

Founders Barry Wells and Vanessa Crispini-Adams said the project supported the requete put forward by deputies to ban glyphosate, most commonly known as Roundup.

This chemical is classed as being ‘possibly carcinogenic to humans’ and has damaging effects on the natural environment.

Picture By Peter Frankland. 06-09-19 Pollinator Project representatives at a field in the Vale. Talking about the use of glyphosate. L-R - Vanessa Crispini-Adams, Sharon hickman and Barry Wells.. (25713603)

‘We are in the process of organising a pesticide forum on 23 October,’ said Mr Wells, who said the event would include representatives from the Pesticide Action Network who have helped communities in the UK to eliminate pesticide use.

‘It won’t only talk about banning pesticides but how you replace them. We recognise that a ban would only be successful if there are viable alternatives.’

‘There is a reason people buy these pesticides and we need to start finding alternatives,’ said Mrs Crispini-Adams.

The event will invite stakeholders and professionals who use pesticides to an afternoon forum.

‘The forum is to bring together technical knowledge, which we have a lot of on island, and see how we can move forward to a pesticide-free Guernsey,’ said Mr Wells.

A public presentation will then take place in the evening.

Not only will PAN representatives be present but also owner of rosie-bee.co.uk Rosie Rollings, who will talk about her pesticide-free horticultural business and the alternatives she uses.

‘The issue is so pertinent to the Pollinator Project, there is a lot of research now on insect declines and it has been linked to pesticide use.

‘One of the hopes of the project is for Guernsey to be one of, if not the first, pesticide-free island,’ said Mr Wells.

Picture By Peter Frankland. 06-09-19 Pollinator Project representatives at a field in the Vale. Talking about the use of glyphosate. L-R - Vanessa Crispini-Adams, Sharon hickman and Barry Wells.. (25713601)

The Pollinator Project was not the only local organisation to support Glyphosate alternatives.

The Soil Farm aims to put important microbiology back into Guernsey’s soil – the organisms are often removed from soil through farming practices, including the use of herbicides and pesticides.

‘At The Soil Farm, we are fully supportive of the announcement that States Works will cease using glyphosate from 2020 and hope this measure will extend to all glyphosate and equivalent toxic chemical use on island.

‘Our work is primarily about regenerating and preserving soil biology, which underpins any relevant environment and biodiversity effort.

‘With glyphosate proven to be devastating to soil biology and its healthy function, any measure to restrict or remove its use is a step in the right direction.’