No plans to stop using contentious chemical

Pesticide opposed by green groups has been phased out of use in other areas

Councils across Tayside and Fife have no plans to discontinue use of glyphosate weed killer, despite other UK local authorities doing so.

The pesticide, which is the active ingredient in the product Roundup, has been phased out of use over the last 12 months by Edinburgh City Council.

Figures released under Freedom of Information legislation show Dundee City Council uses seven different pesticides to control the build up of weeds – Garlan Ultra, Chikkara, Roundup Pro, Pistol, Ferromex, Qualqex and Greenor.

All are classed as herbicides and used to combat a variety of issues including invasive hogweed, moss treatment, selected lawn treatment and general weed killing.

The EU will vote in November on whether to renew the chemical’s licence for a further 10 years.

The expectation is that glyphosate will be relicensed by the end of the year, but the commission has made clear for this to happen EU member states must deliver qualified majority support.

Glyphosate use continues to face opposition from green groups, despite the European Chemicals Agency declaring it is not a potential carcinogen.

The cost of applying the chemical in Dundee in 2016-17 was approximately £95,000, according to council figures.

Approximately 35,000 litres of glyphosate was sprayed on city streets, internal pathways and planted areas in Dundee during the same time period but the council stressed it is diluted with water to just 2% concentration.

The council estimates a replacement for Roundup would cost the local authority four to five times more than what it currently pays and alternatives are less effective weed killers.

A spokesperson for Dundee City Council said: “Roundup meets all current European and UK regulations.

“It is proven to be efficient, practical and effective in controlled application and forms part of an integral approach to ground maintenance and environmental management.

“While we constantly keep under review all of the products we use, there are currently no plans to discontinue the use of this one.”

Perth and Kinross Council also “actively” uses glyphosate and said it has no plans to discontinue its use unless advised to do so by the Scottish Government.

Picture: Olivier Hoslet/EPA/REX/Shutterstock. A protest against glyphosate use is held at Schuman Square, near the European Institution headquarters in Brussels.