Hexham Council calls for toxic weed killer to be banned

THE use of potentially toxic weed killer in streets, parks and cemeteries is “contributing to the death of humanity”, a councillor has claimed.

Hexham Town Council currently uses repellent containing Glyphosate, the chemical substance which has been linked to cancer, and can have an adverse effect on wildlife.

The council is set to phase out the use of the weed killer as it urgently seeks to find a safer alternative.

But at the council’s meeting on Monday, which took place via a live video conference, Coun. John Ord called for use of the product to be banned immediately.

He said: “By spraying this poison around the streets and public spaces you are not helping the public keep safe.

“There is evidence to show that you can get cancer from this. It should not be used in public spaces.

“We are in the middle of this huge extinction and in the end it will be humans. We are contributing to the death of humanity.”

The council agreed to back a proposal from Coun. Tom Gillanders, to phase out the use of the weed killer while searching for a more environmentally friendly replacement.

Chairing the meeting, Hexham’s mayor, Coun. Bob Hull said the council would have to work closely alongside other organisations to ensure a joined-up approach across to the town.

He added: “We accept the proposal and look to a phased withdrawal, working with Northumberland County Council and Karbon Homes.”

After the meeting, members of the campaign group Extinction Rebellion Tynedale urged swift action.

Nick Morphet, who ran as the Green Party candidate at last year’s General Election, said: “Non-chemical alternatives exist, and many councils have already found them to be effective.

“Should we be killing these plants at all? Wild plants and flowers are as beautiful and fascinating as they are essential to a healthy environment. Unless there is a good reason to control them, they should be cherished and allowed to thrive.”

 

MAKE YOURSELVES AWARE THAT ALTERNATIVES TO USING GLYPHOSATE ARE AVAILABLE IN MOST CIRUMSTANCES, EVEN AGAINST JAPANESE KNOTWEED

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

 

RELATED ARTICLES

https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/18508605.calls-toxic-weed-killer-banned/

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/

Colchester ends the use of glyphosate weedkillers

https://colchestergreenparty.co.uk/our-glyphosate-report/

https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/19999952.colchester-borough-homes-bans-use-harmful-weed-killer/

JAPANESE KNOTWEED AGENCY NATIONAL REGISTER – HAVE A SEARCH AND SEE IF JAPANESE KNOTWEED HAS BEEN REPORTED NEAR YOUR HOME

Further Information:

Pesticides are particularly harmful to bees, studies show.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/sep/24/monsanto-weedkiller-harms-bees-research-finds-

Vital soil organisms being harmed by pesticides

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2021.643847/full

Countries that have banned Glyphosate

https://japaneseknotweedagency.co.uk/category/glyphosate-ban-europe/

Alternative Weed control solutions

https://www.pan-uk.org/alternatives-to-herbicides-a-new-guide/

https://japaneseknotweedagency.co.uk/rootwave/thermo-electrical-treatment/