Limiting herbicide’s use in Calderdale better for environment but carries a price

Calderdale Council’s Place Scrutiny Board were receiving a report on reduction of use of some herbicides, including glysophate, which has been the subject of controversy in America.

Last July the council’s Cabinet agreed their use on soft landscape surfaces should stop and its use phased out on hard surfaces, said Head of Neighbourhoods, Andrew Pitts.

There were some exceptions such as Japanese Knotwood and Giant Hogweed on which no other treatment worked and which were hazardous if left.

Mr Pitts said use on soft landscaping has stopped with the exception of safety surfaces, where manual removal would damage the surface, using other weed suppressants and other mechanical measures in its stead.

Glysophate was still being used on Calderdale’s highway network because at the moment no substitute was suitable, but its use had been reduced.

Two key challenges resulting were identifying a viable alternative for treating hard surfaces and noting that the financial implications of the change were significant.

Dealing with soft surfaces cost between £200,000 and £250,000 a year more and potentially dealing with hard surfaces could add another £500,000 to budgets, said Mr Pitts.

Coun Josh Fenton-Glynn (Lab, Calder) said: “My understanding is no council has yet cracked not using glysophate completely in terms of hard structure – are we picking that up and working to reduce use nationally?”

Officers said the council was working with other authorities to reduce use.

Coun Dave Young (Lab, Calder) said the issue at the end of the day was use should be stopped not because it was cost effective but becayse using glysophate was not safe but Coun Susan Press (Lab, Todmorden) said the cost impact should not be underestimated and the council had gone a long way to cut its use down drastically.

Its use was in line with European Union regulations and safety regulations, she said.

Coun Bryan Smith (Lab, Ovenden) was concerned about the cost and Coun Peter Caffrey (Con, Northowram and Shelf) said other weedkiller projects which the public could buy were more dangerous.

Coun Rosin Cavanagh (Lab, Luddenden Foot) said one benefit of not using it on soft surfaces had been a resurgence of meadows, wildflowers and biodiversity, even if it was more expensive.

Coun Young suggested councillors note the report, welcome the reductions made and officers ocntinue to look for alternatives, and the board supported this.