Less use of pesticides in municipalities is possible
Conference: Variety of methods for environmentally safe weed or pest control is already available.
![Löwenzahn und anderes Unkraut in Ritzen von Treppenstufen einer Steintreppe](https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/styles/800w400h/public/medien/376/bilder/loewenzahn_und_unkraut_auf_treppenstufen_ruud_morijn_fotolia_83135509_l.jpg?itok=i-I1WUTW&c=0ad91fed3ffdeb92ee889938c8894202)
Source: Ruud Morijn / Fotolia.com
Landscape planning and pest control are among the many tasks which municipalities are charged with in their mandate to protect citizens and maintain infrastructure. It often requires the use of plant protection agents and biocides. A specialist conference hosted by the German Environment Agency (UBA) on 9 - 10 September in Dessau-Roßlau will show that alternative methods such as hot water treatment or intelligent trap systems are already making it possible to do without chemicals that are harmful to the environment. President Maria Krautzberger of UBA said: “Pesticides can enter the environment along many different pathways and are thus a hazard not only for ecosystems but also for human health, which has been proven by the pesticide residues regularly traced in surface and groundwater. The public sector has a special example to set when it comes to environmentally friendly and green land management and the sustainable upkeep of its infrastructure. Our conference will show that municipalities can do without the use of plant protection agents, can limit the use of biocides and support alternative methods without being in neglect of their duties."