Harmful Herbicide Banned - Leigh-on-Sea

Share this story!

Leigh On Sea News: Harmful Herbicide Banned – SOUTHEND City Council has approved Coun Stuart Allen’s motion to phase out Glyphosate

Harmful Herbicide Banned - SOUTHEND City Council has approved Coun Stuart Allen's motion to phase out Glyphosate

SOUTHEND City Council has approved Coun Stuart Allen’s motion to phase out Glyphosate, a herbicide, from city streets, following concerns about its risks to health, wildlife, pets, and biodiversity.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has labelled Glyphosate as ‘probably carcinogenic.’

Coun Allen emphasised the council’s role in protecting pollinators and promoting sustainable alternatives, building on its earlier ban of glyphosate in parks and open spaces.

Council staff will develop costings and implementation details to be reviewed by the portfolio holder and cabinet.

Coun Allen’s motion to phase out the use of glyphosate (a herbicide associated with cancer and significant health and environmental risks) on Southend’s streets was approved at the recent Full Council meeting.

The proposal was prompted by serious concerns from residents regarding the harmful effects on children, pets, and wildlife.

During the meeting, Coun Allen introduced his motion, stating: “In September 2019, this council made a commendable commitment by declaring a climate emergency, marking an important step toward environmental responsibility.

“Since then, we have demonstrated our leadership by banning the use of Glyphosate in our parks and open spaces.

“Today, I propose that we build on this progress by addressing the ongoing use of Glyphosate-based weed killers on our streets.

“We are witnessing significant declines in pollinators like bees and butterflies, creatures essential for our food systems and biodiversity. As a council committed to environmental stewardship, we must act now to reduce these harms and adopt sustainable alternatives.

“By supporting this motion, we are not just fulfilling our environmental commitments; we are sending a clear message that Southend is a forward-thinking, responsible city that values health, biodiversity, and the future of our planet.”

The Leader of Southend City Council, Coun Daniel Cowen, stated at the meeting “I know this is something Coun Allen is incredibly passionate about, and thank him for working with us collaboratively.”

He added: “I fully support this motion and recognise it is difficult to transition, but not impossible. It may cost us more, but in the long term, if we have biodiversity collapse, it will cost us even more.”

The motion will now be passed to Council staff to develop costings and additional details, which will be presented to the portfolio holder and cabinet at a later date.

The motion states:

Acknowledge that our current administration has committed to exploring alternatives to herbicides, which is already being proactively addressed.
Continue working toward identifying sustainable, wildlife-friendly methods for weed removal.
Trial new weed removal methods on our highways in the upcoming season, with the aim of phasing out Glyphosate use as soon as practicably possible.
Actively engage with residents, promoting the idea of creating ‘weed and wildflower patches’ in their gardens to provide safe havens for bees, butterflies, and other vital insects.

Picture: Coun Stuart Allen

about author

Editor