A petition demanding that The Newt, an exclusive Somerset hotel favored by celebrities, immediately halt the use of glyphosate herbicide in its expansive and picturesque gardens has rapidly surpassed 600 signatures.
Nestled between Bruton and Castle Cary, The Newt is celebrated not only for hosting the global rich and famous but also for its award-winning gardens that span over 30 acres, complemented by hundreds of acres of woodland and farmland. However, environmental campaigners warn that the continued use of glyphosate threatens vital pollinators such as bees, which play a critical role in sustaining the estate’s rich biodiversity.
Hotel garden staff have acknowledged applying the herbicide only “rarely,” primarily on gravel areas during periods with low bee activity. Cameron Knee, the estate’s farm manager, emphasized that glyphosate usage amounts to about once per year and is carefully managed to mitigate risks. “We strategically time applications to avoid peak bee activity and employ buffer strips to reduce contamination,” he explained.
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The Change.org petition highlights The Newt’s reputation as a sanctuary for wildlife and a place where visitors can experience pristine natural ecosystems. It urges the estate’s management to stop using glyphosates to safeguard these delicate environments and set an example for other estates in the region.
Harry Baldwin, head gardener at The Newt, reiterated the hotel’s commitment to environmental stewardship. “Our use of herbicides is minimal and limited to maintaining safe, accessible gravel paths. We prioritize alternative weed control methods to protect biodiversity,” he stated.
Despite glyphosate being designed primarily to target plants rather than insects, recent research from 2022 indicates the herbicide may negatively affect bumblebees’ ability to regulate nest temperatures and could disrupt the gut microbiome of honeybees, raising concerns about its broader ecological impact.
The Newt’s owners, South African billionaires Karen Roos and her husband, have cultivated the estate into a major luxury destination, attracting high-profile visitors including the Beckhams and Beyonce. As its reputation grows, so does public scrutiny regarding its environmental practices.
Local media has reached out to The Newt for further comment on the petition and its future plans concerning herbicide use.