WILDLIFE campaigners are appealing again for Wiltshire Council to ban its use of a controversial weedkiller.
The call for a ban comes after news from the United States of America, where chemical firm Bayer has announced that it is to pay up to $10.9bn (£8.8bn) to settle claims from almost 100,000 people that its Roundup weedkiller could be linked to a diagnosis of cancer. The glyphosate-based product has been subject to around 125,000 lawsuits over its allegedly carcinogenic effects – an allegation that is denied by Bayer and backed by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
As reported in the Melksham News last year, Wiltshire Council currently sprays residential areas and roads with the herbicide glyphosate – also known as ‘Roundup’ – twice yearly across large parts of the county, including Melksham, Bowerhill and the surrounding villages.
Bowerhill resident Sue Tweedie, who has campaigned for the ban of glyphosate, told Melksham News, “Surely this should be enough for Wiltshire Council to ban its use and look at non-chemical solutions. I was in Rowde last week and witnessed curbsides being sprayed. The operative was in full protective gear. This may keep the person safe- questionable but absolutely devastating for the plants and insects that it comes into contact with.
“Wildlife can’t speak up for itself and we must change for the sake of our beautiful planet and the diversity of life that it supports.
“Come on Wiltshire – just stop using it! It should be banned by the government and never sold in garden centres either.”
At a Wiltshire Council meeting last month, councillors discussed a proposed ban of the herbicide, but instead voted in favour of a proposal to continue using the herbicide until an alternative method that is as equally effective becomes available.
The use of glyphosate has been banned by other councils, including Melksham Town Council; and in some countries over fears about its health risks and effects on the environment.
Wiltshire Council was approached for comment, but had not responded by the time the paper went to print.
