Project Dates: 1.4.25 to 1.11.25

The Pesticide-Free Devon iniative will build on DEF’s Pesticide-Free Bradley project, aiming to create a Devon-wide movement focused on reducing pesticide use in households, communities, and agriculture.

Aiming to demonstrate that a highly localised approach, focussing on relationship building and partnerships, can deliver long-lasting results.

 

Why Pesticide-Free?

A global study published in Feb 2025 found that pesticides are causing overwhelming negative effects on hundreds of species of microorganisms, plants, insects, fish, birds, and mammals that they are not intended to harm; and their widespread use for farming, environmental management, and garden care is a major contributor to the biodiversity crisis.

“It is often assumed that pesticides are toxic primarily to the target pest and closely related organisms, but this is clearly not true. Concerningly, we found pervasive negative impacts across plants, animals, fungi and microbes, threatening the integrity of ecosystems.” – Professor Dave Goulson of the University of Sussex.

There is increasing evidence of the negative impacts of pesticides on human and pet health. Exposure to the toxins in pesticides is linked to a range of serious illnesses and diseases from respiratory problems to cancer.

 

Project Overview

Pesticide-Free Devon aims to bring people together who are interested in, or already practising, pesticide-free alternatives to share knowledge, enthusiasm, and achievements and explore how to work together in a more co-ordinated way across Devon.

The Pesticide-Free Devon initiative will run for two years from April 2025. DEF’s funding will kickstart this next phase of the project up to November 2025, however the grantee is looking for further partners to fund this vital work.

 

Objectives:

• Address the negative impacts of pesticides on ecosystems and human health, increasing pesticide-free habitats, reducing pesticide sales, and increasing pollinator diversity and abundance.
• Create a more organised and accessible “pesticide-free” cultural infrastructure across Devon.
• Demonstrate how pesticide-free farming and gardening can support livelihoods while delivering for nature and health.

Methodology:

• Community engagement and events, including a Pesticide-Free Devon conference on 7th June 2025.
• Developing a new website and network.
• Organising free community pesticide collections (kerbside)
• Mentoring and supporting farmers.
• Engaging with retailers to reduce pesticide sales.
• Creating a local pollinator database.
• Advocating for a pesticide levy.
• Finding new funding sources to support the project until 2027.