Thursday, 10 March 2016

Council to consult public over use of glyphosate weedkiller

Christchurch City Council will gather public feedback about a proposal to significantly reduce its use of the weedkiller glyphosate – a common compound in many brands of weedkillers sold publicly in New Zealand.

The Council is proposing to limit the herbicide's use to sites closed to the public and to control pest plants where no other method is practicable.

The proposal will go out for public feedback next month as part of the Council's Draft Annual Plan consultation process.

Councillor Phil Clearwater, Chair of the Infrastructure, Transport and Environment Committee, says it is important residents and ratepayers have a voice on the issue.

"The Council is taking both a proactive and responsible stance by putting glyphosate up for public discussion now rather than later," says Councillor Clearwater.

"It's important people are given a chance to have their say, given glyphosate's potential health risks and the increased costs associated with using less of it in the community."

In March last year, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organisation, announced that glyphosate was "probably carcinogenic to humans."

By volume, glyphosate is the world's most widely produced herbicide and remains approved in New Zealand, Australia, the US, UK and most European Union countries. It is currently banned from sale to the public in some countries, including France and the Netherlands.

The Council's proposal to significantly limit its use of glyphosate would cost an estimated $5.85 million extra per year until 2020, when the annual cost would reduce to an estimated extra $4.97 million.

The cost increase would come from using alternative plant-derived herbicides and physical methods for weed control in place of glyphosate, which is a broadly effective and relatively inexpensive chemical.

Currently, the Council uses glyphosate to control weeds and other pest plants by spraying it around the bases of trees, paths, kerbing and buildings.

No spraying occurs around playgrounds or along registered spray-free boundaries, and all weeds taller than 10 centimetres are hand-pulled.

In addition to consulting over its use of glyphosate, the Council will continue investigating alternative methods of weed control and also urge a review of Land Information New Zealand's use of the chemical over land in the residential red zone.

Council staff will also reiterate to contractors the importance of following necessary health and safety precautions when handling and spraying glyphosate.

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