Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Weedkiller ban will continue after vote
Alternative methods to glyphosate being trialled
A ban on the use of weedkiller containing glyphosate in North Lanarkshire will continue after opposition councillors voted against its reintroduction while alternative methods are trialled.
SNP and independent members successfully challenged a proposal to resume use of the chemical, which has not been deployed across the local authority area since last August, citing environmental and health concerns and saying “that to reintroduce it now would be detrimental and a retrograde step”.
However, council leader Jim Logue says there has already been “a surge in complaints about weeds” and heavily criticised the decision – the result of a close 12-11 vote at a meeting of the environment committee – saying it “will regrettably affect the appearance of so many areas”.
Members had been presented with a report outlining the weed control review undertaken since the use of glyphosates ceased last year following a motion from independent councillors Paddy Hogg and Stephen Goldsack.
The issue had first been raised in April 2019 by Councillor Hogg and Airdrie North representative Alan Beveridge “due to global health and environmental concerns and growing litigation claims and payouts relating to [its] safety”, with the council then beginning to investigate alternative.
Councillors were told that trials of methods including the use of hot foam and steam are taking place but that although these are continuing throughout this summer, there is “no at-scale industry alternative [and] we are at risk of our communities becoming quite overwhelmed with the blight of weeds”.
They were asked to allow the reintroduction of glyphosate until 2024 “in the areas of least risk to human health such as pavements, cemeteries and road channels outwith public parks and play areas”, with it then being phased out over that time as other systems emerge.
A report noted: “If the committee is not minded to approve the reintroduction of glyphosate, it should be noted that the council has no other proven, effective or budgeted effective weed treatment; the significant impact of weed growth will detract further from the environment.”
However, a majority of councillors voted instead from an amendment from SNP councillors William Goldie and Tracy Carragher to confirm “the decision of the council to cease the use of glyphosate and approve a trial of alternative methods such as foam and steam weed control over summer 2021”.
Group environment spokesman Councillor Goldie said: “Globally, health concerns have been raised over the safety of glyphosate with potential detrimental effects on human health and harm to the environment, particularly affecting bees.
“We made the correct decision in 2020 to stop its use – even with limited glyphosate, there is always potential that it would reach our watercourses through the drainage system and possibly enter the food chain.
“I’m happy that we, with the support of other members, thwarted this attempt to reintroduce it.”
Councillor Carragher said she was “pleased to see our motion which prioritised the environment and residents’ health upheld”, and also criticised the review going to a committee rather than the full council which originally imposed the ban, adding that it had been “challenged by the back door – this must be reflected upon”.
However, Labour adminstration leader Councillor Logue called the decision “short-sighted, irresponsible and unevidenced”, saying: “To date, there has been no scientific
study which has proven that glyphosate causes health issues.”
He said: “Environmental issues have increased across North Lanarkshire since the pandemic and are perhaps the number one cause of enquiries from residents to councillors of all parties.
“Our programme would [have been] safely applied, would have significantly removed the weeds in public-owned spaces, pavements and at kerb edges and would rightly have met the expectations of residents.
“By refusing to allow use of the most effective weedkiller, they will continue to grow higher and higher; and in the meantime the weed problem is getting further out of control. For the many residents who are appalled at the state of our green spaces and unsightly weeds, anger should be directed at those responsible for this outrageous decision.”