Caerphilly County Borough Council (CCBC) has confirmed that it is continuing to use Roundup, a weedkiller which has been linked with cancer following a high profile court case in the United States.
A spokeswoman for CCBC confirmed that the majority of weed control within the authority is carried out by an external contractor, however the weed control that is carried out in-house does use Roundup.
A jury in San Francisco awarded a groundsman £226 million on Friday, August 10, after finding that herbicides contained within the Monsanto product contributed to 46-year-old Dewayne Johnson’s terminal cancer.
The manufacturer was told they had failed to adequately warn Mr Johnson of the risk of using Roundup, which contains the world’s most widely-used herbicide, glyphosate.
The World Health Organisation has warned that Glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic” to humans, but Monsanto denies the claim and intends to appeal the ruling.
In a statement, CCBC said: “Our robust risk assessments and safe systems of work support the operations and best practices that we deliver. Obviously, with this new information there is now the need for guidance at a national level on this product and ‘Glyphosate’ related products going forward.”
Councils in Monmouthshire and Torfaen have also confirmed they are continuing to use the product.
A spokesman for the Welsh Government said: “We are in the process of producing a comprehensive information note for local authorities on glyphosate’s current approval status and the statutory obligations for using plant protection products such as Roundup. The guidance will be issued to the Welsh Local Government Association shortly.”
To make an effective weed killer take a 1l spray bottle, fill it one third full with vinegar, add two table spoons of salt, a generous squirt of washing up liquid and fill to the top with water. Spray onto weeds, wait 2-3 days and they will be dead.
I was taught this by a gardener from Abertridwr and it works. It is cheap, harmless to pets and will not give you cancer. The council will never use this method as they are tied in to various contracts but use it at home. It has saved me and my friends no end of work pulling weeds.
A good tip and using safe household items.
I’ll try this the next time I weed my garden.
It works well but only use where weeds are growing on paths, patio and the like. It is very effective and care needs to be taken not to spray on plants you want as it will see them off too!
Thanks Richard
This could have huge implecations for the council, a council which is already in trouble. With all the compensation pay outs this could mean job cuts across the board to save even more money. I then fear that we the tax payer will be forced to pay again for this councils mistakes.
Right in one, there are safe alternatives but the council officers have allowed the use of a product which is known to be the subject of damage claims.
They don’t spray it in newbridge anywhere it is like a jungle over here