Glyphosate ban call for Chichester, West Sussex

13 January 2023

Chichester is another constituency that is highlighting the massive problem with the use of Glyphosate and wants to stop its use across the region. Chichester is a Roman cathedral city and the only city in West Sussex.

Preservation of wildlife, flora & fauna, trees & woodlands still remain of historic beauty which locals & many tourists appreciate. The use of harmful pesticides is creating a major impact on the environment. Alongside Councillors , the local residents of Chichester have shown their concerns for the future of the community as Glyphosate proves to not only harm the wildlife but is now considered carcinogenic & toxic to humans effectively causing cancers & tumours.

According to the International Agency of Research for Cancer (IARC) Glyphosate is said to be carcinogenic causing cancers & tumours in humans. It is already banned in Europe & now many Councils are choosing against using Glyphosate in public places. The World Health Organisation found that Glyphosate, which is found in most herbicides including the global renowned weedkiller RoundUp, is ‘probably carcinogenic to humans’.

Minutes from the meeting relating to the use of Glyphosate are highlighted further down in this post in red.

Measure Number Three – Pesticide Free City

We note that:

(i) The Property Team has already terminated its using of Glyphosate based weedkillers and is experimenting with natural weedkillers.

(ii) We would like to congratulate the Property Manager on limiting the use of dangerous chemicals which could endanger the health of the City Council employees and the wider public.

(iii) We recommend to the Council that the Property Manager coordinates with his County and District Colleagues to reduce the use of pesticides in the city more widely.

(iv) We recommend the City Council joining the Pesticide Free Towns Network for a healthier environment for our citizens.

The Network of Pesticide Free Towns envisions a world where the use of pesticides is minimized and replaced with sustainable alternatives, hence, the health of citizens and the environment is safeguarded, biodiversity is enhanced and an improved quality of life is achieved.

To achieve this vision, we would encourage Chichester City Council to pledge to continue to adhere to appropriate policies and measures to ensure the following objective(s) are reached:

Ban the use of herbicides in public areas under city’s control
Ban the use of all pesticides in public areas under city’s control
Help to extend the ban of pesticides to private areas with public access and agricultural areas next to where citizens live
Step up and support the greening efforts towards local biodiversity enhancement already being championed by Transition Chichester under the direction of Mrs Mary Iden.

In order to put into effect, the pesticide free vision for the Chichester we would commit specifically to:

Develop and promote a campaign aimed at informing citizens about the transition to become pesticide-free, and the reasons for it; encourage citizens to actively support the transition by promoting the use of sustainable alternatives in private gardens and allotments
Communicate with and involve all stakeholders (County and District Council employees and sub-contractors, local farmers, etc).
Increase local biodiversity through municipal and citizen-driven activities

Alternative non-chemical treatments are available.

Japanese Knotweed Agency is the first and currently only entity that offers a non-chemical Thermo-Electrical treatment against Japanese Knotweed. Delivering up to 5000 volts directly to the weed stalks and crowns, sends a massive destructive shock throughout the weed effectively boiling it in situ and it should decompose and leave no trace. It may take several treatments as would chemical treatment, but with thermo-electrical treatment, the ground is left 100% safe and chemical free. Treatment does not affect the ground or land or other foliage next to the treated weed.

Japanese Knotweed Agency will now offer this service across England and Wales throughout 2023 and beyond.

Treatment of weeds such as Japanese Knotweed can now be done safely, and without the use of Glyphosates, protecting our environments and the health of children and adults and wildlife, and is a massive step forward that has been needed for decades in line with Europe.

Read more about the Japanese Knotweed Agency and their Thermo-Electric eradication on our website: https://japaneseknotweedagency.co.uk/rootwave/thermo-electrical-treatment/

Or call us freephone 03335 777 888

https://thebristolcable.org/2021/08/a-toxic-chemical-weedkiller-glyphosate-being-sprayed-bristol-despite-pledges-progress-is-being-made-city-council/

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/marvin-rees-deliver-your-promise-to-ban-glyphosate-in-bristol

https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/pressure-on-bristol-city-council-to-ban-toxic-weed-killer/

Glyphosate Ban in Cambridge

20 December 2022

Councillors have stopped short of committing to a firm timeframe to end the use of herbicides for weed control in Cambridge.

An example of the impact of herbicide spraying in Wulfstan Way, Cambridge Picture: Keith Heppell

Liberal Democrat Cllr Katie Porrer called on Cambridge City Council to commit to making two wards completely herbicide-free immediately as a trial, with the intention of terminating its use by the end of 2022.

But her motion to the full council on Thursday (July 22) was amended by the leading Labour group to commit to “explore the potential” for a trial.

Cllr Porrer also called for the authority to alert residents when herbicides have been used: “I live in a terrace house in Market with no front garden. And it was only seven days after the council had sprayed the green outside my front door that I realised.

“In the meantime, I’d been putting out my milk bottles and bringing them in, putting them in my fridge and on my table – and my daughter had been doing handstands outside the house, touching these chemicals. This must be happening to so many other families across the city, and it’s not acceptable and people have a right to know, and plan to avoid this.”

She pointed out that 500 people had signed a Pesticide-Free Cambridge petition to stop usage across the city, as highlighted by the Cambridge Independent. Now signed by more than 3,500

“This motion is just the beginning – focusing on eliminating the day-to-day and blanket destruction of wildlife across our streets, verges and paths, using herbicide,” Cllr Porrer concluded.

Labour’s Cllr Alex Collis, executive member for open spaces, sustainable food and community wellbeing, said the ruling group had a “shared vision” and that she was already working with officers to identify two areas where the council could run a herbicide-free trial.

Cllr Collis, who added that the council was already trialling the use of a foam treatment machine as an alternative solution, said: “There’s a lot of potential here to make a really positive difference for our environment and our amendment sets out the additional practical steps that will help to achieve council approved aims, without altering them.”

Julia Shaw and Ben Greig, of Pesticide-Free Cambridge, said in a statement after the meeting: “We are delighted that the motion has been passed, although Labour’s amendments have removed much of the clarity and force of the original proposal which is disappointing.

“For example, with regards the timeline for trialling alternatives and phasing out herbicides across the city, references to ‘commitment’ have been replaced by more vague terms such as ‘explore’ and ‘assess’ which raises the risk of further causes of delay, something that we have been highlighting over the last 14 months as a major contradiction to the council’s 2019 declaration of a Biodiversity Emergency.

“However, even with these amendments, we are happy that in the passing of this motion we now have, in principle, a statement of intent from the council to explore herbicide-free alternatives for weed control in two wards before the next spraying season of this year (September 2021), with the view to stopping all herbicide-use across the city by the end of 2022.

“This is the first time we’ve seen any date at all, having been asking for a timeline for over a year, and so this in itself is a major improvement on the previous stalemate.

A major problem surrounding this decision is that these insidious weeds can be found everywhere & the previous spraying of Glyphosate was the typical treatment used for eradicating weeds including Japanese Knotweed. It was carried out over a period of years (5/10 years), during this consistent treatment Glyphosate has been sprayed in public areas where the soil is now highly contaminated by the chemical & there has not been any research to prove the duration that the chemical is still present.

“We will continue to work with all concerned to try to hold the council to this position, and to ensure it implements its intention to pre-warn residents about spraying schedules, and to put up appropriate signage. This is something we’ve been suggesting for years as a minimum step towards reducing residents’ direct exposure to toxic glyphosate during the five to 10 days that it takes for plant die-off to occur.

“Further, we hope that by raising public concern amongst residents who may have been previously unaware this was even going on, such measures may also help to bring forward the end-of-2022 target for eliminating herbicide-use across the city.”
The motion was beaten by 19 votes to 12, with the Labour amendment passed unanimously.
Alternative non-chemical treatments are available.

It may take several treatments as would chemical treatment, but with thermo-electrical treatment, the ground is left 100% safe and chemical free. Treatment does not affect the ground or land or other foliage next to the treated weed.

Japanese Knotweed Agency will now offer this service across England and Wales throughout 2023 and beyond.

Read more about the Japanese Knotweed Agency and their Thermo-Electric eradication on our website: https://japaneseknotweedagency.co.uk/rootwave/thermo-electrical-treatment/

Or call us freephone 03335 777 888

Glyphosate ban in Bristol

15 December 2022

GREEN COUNCILLOR CALLS FOR ‘GLYPHOSATE FREE ASHLEY’ TRIAL (2015)

Local Councillor, Gus Hoyt, is calling on the Mayor to use Ashley ward to trial alternative methods to weedkillers which contain the potentially harmful chemical, glyphosate.

Councillor Gus Hoyt from Ashley ward, which includes St Pauls, Montpelier, St Werburghs and parts of St Andrews and Stokes Croft has been contacted by many local residents who are concerned about the use of glyphosate in their neighbourhood.

‘An increasing number of people with concerns about the use weedkillers which contain glyphosate have contacted me over the past few months. The majority have been parents who are worried about their children playing on or near areas which have recently been sprayed. But lots of other residents, from community food champions to foragers and gardeners, have also expressed their concerns.’ said Councillor Hoyt.

Earlier this year an agency of the World Health Organisation found that Glyphosate, which is found in most herbicides including the weedkiller RoundUp, is ‘probably carcinogenic to humans’. Green Councillors have already raised concerns with the Mayor, asking for more detailed information on how and where glyphosate is used across the city.

‘I’m sure Monsanto – with their vast economic interest in products like RoundUp – will fight claims that their product could cause cancer. Paris and the State of California have already decided to use the precautionary principle and ban the chemical after its safety was called into question. There are many safe alternatives to glyphosate-based weedkillers – many used here in the UK. I’m simply asking the Mayor to start with a trial of these more acceptable methods and compounds on the geographical area of Ashley ward. I’m a councillor for this small but important area of the city and would like the Council and its contractors to do best for the people I represent.’

When asked if all glyphosate use should be banned Cllr Hoyt replied that in some instances the experts agree on its effectiveness. ‘There are highly invasive weeds, such as Japanese knotweed, where it may be possible to argue that the use of glyphosate is necessary, but these are exceptional cases. I hope that a glyphosate free trial in Ashley would demonstrate that the alternatives to glyphosate which are used in other places could be applied to Bristol.’

Alternative non-chemical treatments are available.

Japanese Knotweed Agency will now offer this service across England and Wales throughout 2023 and beyond. Treatment of weeds such as Japanese Knotweed can now be done safely, and without the use of Glyphosates, protecting our environments and the health of children and adults and wildlife, and is a massive step forward that has been needed for decades in line with Europe.

Read more about the Japanese Knotweed Agency and their Thermo-Electric eradication on our website: https://japaneseknotweedagency.co.uk/rootwave/thermo-electrical-treatment/

Or call us freephone 03335 777 888

RELATED ARTICLES

https://thebristolcable.org/2021/08/a-toxic-chemical-weedkiller-glyphosate-being-sprayed-bristol-despite-pledges-progress-is-being-made-city-council/

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/marvin-rees-deliver-your-promise-to-ban-glyphosate-in-bristol

https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/pressure-on-bristol-city-council-to-ban-toxic-weed-killer/

Glyphosate ban in Bath and North East Somerset

13 December 2022

Permanent ban on using glyphosate weedkiller approved by councillors

Liberal Democrat councillors have approved a permanent ban on the use of glyphosate weedkiller to control weeds in streets across the area.

The controversial chemical will now only be used for dangerous, invasive weeds including Giant Hogweed and Japanese Knotweed. A major problem surrounding this decision is that these insidious weeds can be found everywhere including all public areas, schools & homes, posing a threat to locals. Typical treatment for Japanese Knotweed is carried out over a period of years (5/10 years), during this consistent treatment Glyphosate has been sprayed in an area the soil is highly contaminated by the chemical & there has not been any research to prove the duration that the chemical is still present.

The Council are looking into other alternatives to weedkiller & will prioritise for street weeds, and additional funding will be introduced for mechanical and manual weed removal from the next financial year.

Bath & North East Somerset Council says it will also research viable alternative methods of weed control and will look to work with communities to manage street weeds in some locations.

Cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, Councillor Dave Wood, commented: “In April we will be trialling £950k of investment in frontline services from street cleaning to graffiti, from repairing roads to banning glyphosate for street weeds with immediate effect.

This will contribute to our work in response to the ecological emergency, significantly reducing the use of chemicals in our operations and providing greater flexibility in how street weeds or pavement plants are managed.

We are all proud of our area and want it to look its best. Under the Liberal Democrats we are working hard to reverse the cuts, balance our books and give residents the services they deserve.

Councillor Jess David, the Council’s member advocate for biodiversity, welcomed the move and commented: The use of herbicides has a significant impact on the environment by indiscriminately destroying plants that are an important source of food and habitat for wildlife.

As well as having the support of organisations like the Soil Association, 3,500 people have signed a petition to this Council asking that we stop the use of glyphosate on our streets.

We have stated publicly that we are facing a climate and ecological emergency, and I believe that stopping the annual street-spray is an important step in changing the way we operate.

This is great news for local biodiversity, allowing more plants to flower and offer benefits. I know this will be welcomed by the many residents that have been in touch with us on this issue.

In my role as member advocate for biodiversity I welcome other actions that the Council is taking to support local biodiversity including altering our mowing regime, identifying sites with rare species, and planting new wildflower areas.

I am also delighted to see that our Local Plan Update includes the requirement for developers to deliver a 10% net gain in biodiversity and that developer contributions may be used for biodiversity projects.

The Lib Dems are committed to addressing the Climate and Nature Emergency and to responding to the growing calls from our communities who want to see action on biodiversity and habitat restoration.

Alternative non-chemical treatments are available.

Japanese Knotweed Agency will now offer this service across England and Wales throughout 2023 and beyond.

Treatment of weeds such as Japanese Knotweed can now be done safely, and without the use of Glyphosates, protecting our environments and the health of children and adults and wildlife, and is a massive step forwards that has been needed for decades in line with Europe.

Read more about the Japanese Knotweed Agency and their Thermo-Electric eradication on our website: https://japaneseknotweedagency.co.uk/rootwave/thermo-electrical-treatment/

Or call us freephone 03335 777 888