Council bans weed killer usage in parks and play areas

Rossendale Council has halted using weed killer in its parks and plays areas.

The Council has taken action following recent concern over the use of glyphosate, which has been described as probably carcinogenic to humans” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, an arm of the World Health Organisation.

While the weed killer is properly licensed in both the country and the European Union, there has been an ongoing debate about its safety.

The Council will use a vinegar mixture instead to tackle weeds.

Councillor Adrian Lythgoe, Portfolio Holder for Operations and Development Control, said:

There is a debate internationally over the safety of glyphosate which is still taking place and the evidence is not absolutely clear cut.

But we take all matters of public health seriously and we shouldn’t be taking any unnecessary risks when there are other ways of controlling weeds. We have agreed as a Council to stop using glyphosate and using a vinegar mixture instead.

This may not be as effective at controlling weeds but I fully believe that is a small price to pay to lower the potential risks. I want this Council to be as environmentally friendly as possible and this is one step which will help us achieve that aim.