An environmental campaigner is calling on a Northern Ireland council to stop using a controversial herbicide in a Co Down forest.
Eileen Flynn raised concerns amid plans by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to use a glyphosate based treatment to tackle ‘invasive species’ at Delamont Country Park on the outskirts of Killyleagh.
Campaigners claim that the chemical is linked to cancer, however the assertions are disputed. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) ruled that glyphosate was “probably carcinogenic”.
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However, numerous other international agencies, including the European Chemical Agency and European Food Safety Authority (Efsa), continue to declare glyphosate as safe, and there are many scientific studies which have found no association with cancer.
The company that makes it, Bayer, states that “there is an extensive body of research on glyphosate and Bayer’s glyphosate-based herbicides, including more than 800 studies submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in connection with the registration process, which confirms these products can be used safely and that glyphosate does not cause cancer”.
The US EPA’s position is currently under reviw following the intervention of a federal court, however in a statement posted in September this year the Agency said its “underlying scientific findings regarding glyphosate, including its finding that glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans, remain the same”.
Spokesperson for ‘No Round-up Newry, Mourne and Down’, Eileen Flynn was successful in gaining a pledge from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) in 2019 to stop using the chemical in children’s play areas.
Regarding current plans, she said: “I am shocked to hear that the council is using glyphosate over the next several years in our local Delamont Country Park. This method for removal of invasive plant species needs to be ceased immediately.
She said that, if the Council insists on proceeding with its plan, “they need to close the park to the public entirely for the next two to three years”.
Rowallane SDLP councillor, Terry Andrews called on anyone with concerns of chemical use to come forward.
He said: “I am aware of previous campaigns against the use of the chemical glyphosate at the council. I would encourage anyone who has any genuine concerns on the use of chemicals by NMDDC to raise those matters with any elected representative or indeed the council itself.”
The council confirmed the weed-killer chemical being used at Delamont has been approved by the Northern Ireland authorities.
A spokesperson said: “Contractors appointed by the Woodland Trust on behalf of the council, are removing these invasive species in an attempt to restore the woodland ecosystem. They will be cut at ground level, extracted and the stumps treated with an approved herbicide.
“These drastic methods are the only way to successfully remove these tough plants and prevent regrowth. The stumps are being treated with an approved herbicide called Gallup 360. The herbicide is being applied with a brush to ensure no more than the minimum amount required is being used.
“The quantity will depend on the number of stumps requiring application. The suppliers have calculated an estimated price for the herbicide based on the area of works and not the number of invasive trees. The exact amount of herbicide needed will depend on the number of stumps treated.”
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