Plans to cut weedkiller use over safety concerns

South Kesteven District Council wants to reduce the use of glyphosate on land it maintains

A council plans to cut back the use of a weedkiller after it was linked to safety concerns.

The pesticide glyphosate, used by South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) to treat weeds, has been linked to cancer and is harmful to wildlife, including bees, according to Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN).

A SKDC report said the manufacturer of the product used by the council confirmed it "is not harmful to animals or aquatic life if diluted and applied according to the manufacturer's instructions".

A recommendation will go to the council's cabinet for the continuation of SKDC's strategy to reduce the use of glyphosate on land it is responsible for maintaining.

'Lower environmental impact'

A report to a joint meeting of the Environment Overview Scrutiny Committee and the Rural and Communities Committee on Tuesday said SKDC's use of glyphosate was "already minimal".

The council's sustainability and climate change manager Serena Brown said in the report: "When used responsibly glyphosate may have a lower environmental impact when compared to alternative herbicides which may require more frequent applications or have a higher toxicity.

"A complete ban could hinder the council's efforts to maintain tree populations, protect biodiversity and ensure successful amenity tree establishment and woodland creation."

Councillor Rhys Baker says the council will "continue to strive for viable alternatives" to using glyphosate

Councillor Rhys Baker, SKDC's cabinet member for environment and waste, said: "We know that the public has concerns about using glyphosate to control weeds.

"We take all matters relating to public health seriously and will continue to strive for viable alternatives to minimise its use for the future which would best protect our biodiversity and ecology."

Nick Mole, policy manager for PAN, said: "A growing body of evidence shows there are linkages between glyphosate exposure and a range of ill health outcomes including cancer.

"It is particularly harmful to soil organisms, aquatic eco systems and potentially others parts of biodiversity, including bees."

He added: "Whilst it's not been proven definitively either way, the weight of evidence showing harmful effects of glyphosate are more than enough to have a precautionary approach to it and end its use when it's not needed."

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