Absolutely! Countries such as France and Belgium banned pesticides from public spaces many years ago without any issues. Just take a look at the shots of Paris during the 2024 Summer Olympics and you will see how well-cared for it looked without using any pesticides.
Having said that, it is vital that councils ensure that the rights and needs of those who struggle with access are taken into consideration when designing and implementing their pesticide phase-out plans. The best way to do this is to explicitly include consultations with local groups and networks that represent disabled and elderly people in public outreach initiatives. These groups will be best-placed to represent the voices and concerns of their members and advise on how best to go pesticide-free while maintaining accessibility.
PAN UK does not suggest that councils stop using pesticides overnight. We encourage councils to adopt our three-year phase out plan to ensure that the journey to going pesticide-free is well-thought out, and that the benefits are equally shared amongst all residents.