Joyce meets young Powys pesticide campaigners

Senedd Member Joyce Watson has met young conservationists from mid Wales campaigning for a pesticide-free Wales.

Volunteers from Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust travelled to the Welsh Parliament recently to lobby for a country-wide ban on the use of harmful chemicals by 2030. The Labour Mid and West Wales politician pledged that she would ‘always stand up for nature’.

Mrs Watson, a member of the Senedd’s environment committee, said:

“It was inspiring to speak with young people so actively engaged in and passionate about protecting our natural heritage. I assured them that I will champion their views and concerns in the Senedd.”

Pesticides affect more wildlife than just the species they are targeting. However, many harmful chemicals are available to the public, local Authorities, and landowners – including Neonicotinoids and Glyphosate, which was found to be ‘probably’ carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). According to insect expert Dave Goulson, Professor of Biology at the University of Sussex, Neonicotinoids are so toxic that just one teaspoon is enough to deliver a lethal dose to 1¼ billion honeybees.

The youth-led campaign, run by Wildlife Trusts Wales, asks people to use non-toxic alternatives to pesticides in their garden, balcony, or window box. It also asks them to change the way they treat their pets with flea treatments, to avoid toxic chemicals getting into the environment.

To learn more about the campaign, visit here.