Thousands support call against using weedkiller

Campaigner Katie Teakle organised the petition against North East Lincolnshire Council's use of the chemical glyphosate

A woman who started a petition about the use of chemical weedkillers has been supported by more than 26,000 signatures.

Katie Teackle, from Cleethorpes, set it up after becoming concerned about North East Lincolnshire Council's (NELC) use of glyphosate to kill weeds on roadside verges.

The chemical is a powerful herbicide that kills most plants, but there is concern about its wider impact on bird and insect populations.

A NELC spokesperson said officers have been asked to continue their investigations into alternative weedkillers with a "report to be produced to go before scrutiny and cabinet in due course".

A council worker sprays chemicals on to weeds at the base of a tree

According to The Local Democracy Reporting Service, the petition begins: “Where are all the bees, insects and birds? Chattering sparrows, soaring swallows? How many butterflies have you seen this year? When was the last time you saw a wasp?”

It lays blame for declining biodiversity at least in part at the door of “the widespread use of toxic weedkillers”.

Ms Teakle is hoping that the council will urgently review its use of glyphosate.

"You have to lead by example and local authorities are in a great position of power," she said.

"There is a very real issue here and the council is best-placed to lead by example."

James Elliot, also known as The Canoe River Cleaner, is concerned about the impact of glyphosate on the wider environment

As well as a phase-out of use of glyphosate in favour of non-chemical alternatives, the petition also calls for the council to work with Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN), which supports local authorities to become pesticide free.

The campaign is being supported by Grimsby-based environmental campaigner James Elliot, who is also known as The Canoe River Cleaner.

Mr Elliot is concerned about the impact chemicals may have on the insect life and wildlife in his local waterway The River Freshney.

"The numbers speak for themselves, I think it's resonated with people," he said.

Mr Elliot added that he is confident his local authority will act to reduce or phase-out the use of the weedkiller.

He said: "Obviously, we need the council to be on board because they are using glyphosate at the moment, but I think they will be."

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