Residents living next to protected grasslands have launched a protest after East Lothian council workers allegedly sprayed toxic weedkiller near the site.
People living next to Berwick Law, in North Berwick, reported seeing the workers spraying the liquid along a wall bordering the site. Now they have put up signs protesting against the use of weedkiller containing glyphosate.
Residents of Glenburn Road said workers had sprayed along a wall behind their houses which borders the protected site.
READ MORE: Call for East Lothian Council to stop using 'toxic' weedkiller near playgrounds
The area is recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of lowland calcareous grasslands. It is reportedly home to many species of water birds ranging from greylag geese to herons and little grebes.
Last week East Lothian Greens called on the local authority to halt all use of weedkiller after the council confirmed it used a spray containing glyphosate, which can be harmful to birds, bees, worms and fish.
A petition lodged on the internet calling for a ban on the spray has received nearly 500 signatures already.
A council spokesperson said, in response to the call for a ban, that the chemical is "able to be used without unacceptable risks to people or the environment".
They added: "We consider carefully any evidence to suggest that working practices could have a detrimental effect on the health of our communities and wildlife.
"To this end the range of chemicals utilised by the council for, in particular, weed control has been significantly reduced and we use glyphosate based products only where mulching or manual control is not possible."
However campaigners said the claims did not match what residents had witnessed describing it as "spraying in a widespread and indiscriminate way".
One local resident, who asked not to be named, said: "This is the second year the council have come out and sprayed despite us raising concerns about the use of the weedkiller at such a sensitive site. We couldn't believe it when they came back again.
"I thought it was against the law to spray at an SSSI but the council doesn't seem to care. We're hoping toe signs will make them think before they do it again, although damage has already been done."
Jacq Cottrell, Greens candidate for the North Berwick ward said local residents contacted the group after seeing the spray used near the SSSI at Berwick Law.
She said: "This wilful destruction of our environment is an absolute scandal. It is bad enough that a toxic chemical is being used in our parks and streets, but for it to be used near a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest beggars belief.
“After these revelations, residents can have no confidence in the council’s ability to keep our open spaces healthy and safe for people, pets and wildlife.”
The group has called for an immediate suspension of all but emergency ground works until the Council has carried out a full, publicly available, environmental audit of the chemicals supplied to its workers - or used by its contractors.
To view the petition, go to: https://www.change.org/p/stop-east-lothian-council-from-using-toxic-pesticides
