New Sustainability Strategy from the RHS

The RHS has published a new Sustainability Strategy, describing how the organisation intends to become ‘net positive for nature and people’ by 2030, encouraging gardeners to do the same. There are 10 targets covering two categories: 1) Nature, including water use, biosecurity and biodiversity in cultivated spaces, and 2) People, such as improving equality and diversity in gardening, and the development of an evidence-based blueprint of how human health and wellbeing can be improved by gardens. President Keith Weed said, “we are now painfully aware that we face a climate and biodiversity crisis and that every effort counts. The RHS is in a unique position to harness its science, reputation and reach to help address this in a positive way”.

Hyperlink:

Sustainability Strategy - https://www.rhs.org.uk/about-the-rhs/sustainability/sustainability-strategy-document

Waitrose ends sales of garden pesticides

Waitrose has pledged to cease sales of garden pesticides from 2022. The supermarket chain had already prohibited the use of over 70 pesticides on the crops it sells but this latest announcement means that products such as insecticides, weedkillers and slug pellets can no longer be found on its shelves. Described as “a move to preserve natural biodiversity in Britain’s outdoor living spaces” the decision follows a similar decision to stock only peat-free growing media. Pesticide Action Network (PAN UK) said, “humans and wildlife will be less exposed to potentially harmful chemicals. We hope this move will encourage other retailers to take pesticides off their shelves and also help raise awareness among the public that they do not need to use toxic pesticides in their gardens.” Read the full article here.

Hyperlink:

here - https://waitrose.pressarea.com/pressrelease/details/78/NEWS_13/13446