Greens call for council to stop using weedkiller which contains toxic chemical

The party’s East Lothian branch said that the council had confirmed it was using a spray which contained glyphosate, which can be toxic to bees, fish and birds, to tackle weeds across the county.

And they pointed to a ‘safety sheet’ from manufacturers which they said warned it could be an irritant to some animals and should be kept away from drains, sewers and waterways.

Despite these warnings, the group says that residents of Musselburgh, North Berwick, Haddington and Dunbar have reported seeing the after-effects of the chemical on verges.

Pictures show evidence of the use of pesticides near play parks, water courses and seafronts around the county.

And the Greens have also been contacted by residents living close to North Berwick Law who have said that council workers have used weedkillers behind the houses on Glenburn Road, along a wall which borders a conservation area wetland.

The wetland is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and habitat for many species of water birds, as well as other wetland wildlife.

Mark James (pictured above), Green candidate for Dunbar & East Linton at next month's East Lothian Council elections, first proposed alternatives to chemical use on the council estate in 2017 in an email to council officials, but was told that while products remained licensed in the UK, alternatives would not be considered and “were not viable”.

However, a range of councils have now adopted alternative methods to weed control.

And the Greens are now saying it is time for East Lothian Council to rethink their policy.

Mr James said: “This is the same chemical that in the United States has resulted in lawsuits that the owners have set aside more than $10 billion to settle – some brought after people exposed to the product developed cancer.

“Scotland should be banning the use of these chemicals, not seeing them used by our own councils.

“East Lothian Council must immediately suspend all but emergency ground works until it has carried out a full audit of the chemicals supplied to its workers – or used by its contractors.”

Signs of weedkiller being sprayed in Dunbar. Image: Scottish Greens

A spokesperson for the council said that it received regular updates from the Amenity Forum, which leads advice on safe and environmentally friendly use of pesticides, and added that extensive tests and research had seen glyphosate ruled safe to use.

They said: “The Amenity Forum have stated that the chemical is ‘able to be used without unacceptable risks to people or the environment’. Should this position change, East Lothian Council could explore alternative solutions to meet our operational needs.

“In addition, management staff within the council’s grounds maintenance team take an active role in a number of advisory groups to share best practice, monitor new developments in delivery and prepare for any changes in legislation that may impact on service delivery.

“Wherever viable and efficient opportunities exist to reduce our reliance on chemicals, we have adopted alternative working practices to utilise these and contribute to the overall aims and objectives of the council’s climate change strategy.

“We also consider carefully any evidence to suggest that working practices could have a detrimental effect on the health of our communities and wildlife.

'Significantly reduced'

“To this end, the range of chemicals utilised by the council for, in particular, weed control has been significantly reduced and we use glyphosate-based products only where mulching or manual control is not possible.”

The East Lothian Greens' manifesto contains an immediate ban on herbicide and pesticide use, and candidates have urged other political parties to support the end to using these chemicals.

Nick Mole, from the Pesticide Action Network UK, said that work was being carried out across the country to tackle weeds without the use of potentially toxic products.

He said: “Stirling and Edinburgh are already taking steps to reduce and eliminate the use of pesticides with effective, sustainable, non-toxic alternatives.

“At a time when we need our open spaces to be healthy and safe for people and biodiversity, there really is no excuse for continuing the use of pesticides.”