We, the residents, business owners, stakeholders and other community members of Dartington, are calling for an immediate phase-out and eventual ban on the use of chemical pesticides (including glyphosate-based herbicides such as Roundup or Gallup) across our village. We ask that all those managing land in and around Dartington transition to safe, non-toxic alternatives for weed management.

We urge you to sign the Pesticide-Free Dartington Pledge, forming a lobby for change across our community. By signing the pledge, you are saying:

●   I will transition away from the use of chemical pesticides / herbicides (including those containing glyphosate) on any land I have responsibility for in or around Dartington (if applicable).

●   I call on landowners, businesses and stakeholders around Dartington to commit to pesticide-free land management by adopting an ‘Integrated Weed Management’ policy that prioritises manual, mechanical, or organic methods.

●   I call on those using pesticides in the Dartington area to inform the community clearly when and where any essential chemical treatments are taking place until a full ban is achieved.

Why This Matters to Our Community

1. Protecting Our Health

In 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans." In June 2025, the most comprehensive study ever conducted on glyphosate was published. The Global Glyphosate Study concluded that glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides cause multiple types of cancer, even at exposure levels deemed to be “safe” by governments. As a community where children play in our lanes and residents walk their dogs along our verges, we believe that "cosmetic" weed-free pavements are not worth the potential risk to our health.  

2. Saving Our Pollinators

Pollinators are essential to the health of our gardens, orchards, hedgerows, and local food systems. Bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and other pollinating insects are already in serious decline across the UK due to habitat loss and chemical exposure. Research shows that glyphosate can disrupt the gut microbiome of honeybees and bumblebees, weakening their immunity, impairing navigation, and affecting the survival of entire colonies. When we spray pesticides on our verges, paths, and green spaces, we are not just killing weeds — we are damaging the fragile web of life that keeps our community thriving. A village rich in birdsong, wildflowers, and pollinators is healthier, more resilient, and more beautiful for everyone.

3. Safeguarding Our Soil and Water

Glyphosate is a "non-selective" killer; it binds to the soil and can leach into our local waterways including the already threatened biosphere of Bidwell Brook and the River Dart. This harms aquatic life and destroys the beneficial soil fungi and microbes that keep Dartington’s gardens and fields fertile.

4. Alternatives Already Exist

Many towns across the UK, including nearby Newton Abbot, have already taken steps to reduce or ban glyphosate. Effective alternatives like hot foam (Foamstream), acetic acid (vinegar-based), and manual weeding are being used successfully to keep public spaces safe and tidy without the use of toxins. Visit Pesticide-free Dartington for more information.