Herbicide ban:
Weedkillers banned on squares and paths
In the warmer months of the year, you can still see people clearing weeds from the pavement or driveway around their house with a weed sprayer. What few people realise: This is illegal and can be really expensive. Offenders can be fined up to 50,000 euros. Complying with the ban is not only sensible because of the fine, but also to protect your health and the environment, as chemical weed killers are very harmful to both. A whole range of weed killers are even carcinogenic and are on the list for a general ban, partly because of the risk to health and the environment. Anyone who nevertheless uses such toxic products should bear in mind that herbicides are inevitably inhaled during use and carried into the house in shoes. The use of herbicides also poses a considerable risk to pets, especially cats, which are constantly licking their fur.
The use of plant protection products on pavements, footpaths, courtyards, driveways and similar areas is prohibited by the Plant Protection Act.
Dorothee Schulz
Environmental protection and green spaces
FB III Bauamt