FRANKSTON Council is set to consider overturning its ban on glyphosate-based weed killers.
Council announced an internal ban on the use of glyphosate products, such as Roundup, in late 2019. It phased out use of the product throughout 2020.
The Times understands that councillors will consider overturning the herbicide ban at their next public meeting.
When asked if council is considering scrapping the ban and the costs involved, the mayor Kris Bolam said that “council will consider a detailed report in relation to this matter at the council meeting on Monday 15 February.”
It is understood that council officers have recommended that glyphosate be reintroduced because other weed control methods have been nearly $500,000 more expensive and not as effective.
The previous Frankston Council, of which only one councillor remains, unanimously decided to stop using glyphosate in October 2019. A multi-billion dollar lawsuit in the US and the health and safety of the public were cited as reasons for the ban (“Herbicide use banned”, The Times, 28/10/19).
Council ceased using glyphosate for weed control at playgrounds, preschools, and maternal child health centres on 1 January, 2020. The use of the herbicide was phased out entirely by council in June, with techniques including steam application, weeding, brush cutting, and mulching used instead.
Last week pharmaceutical company Bayer AG announced a $US2 billion proposal to resolve future legal claims in the United States over the use of the glyphosate-based weed killer Roundup. It is alleged that the weed killer may have links to cancer cases.
In June 2020, Bayer announced it would settle nearly $US10 billion in current lawsuits related to the use of Roundup.
Kingston Council also announced it would phase out the use of glyphosate in 2019.
3 Comments
Ban or no ban, it’s not a big deal and a “non-event” if there were alternatives. McDonalds has burger king, coke has pepsi. So without out, just switch to the other. Has anyone tried the organic alternative products? It was a big deal for us as well until we tested vinegar, salt, cheetah, biosafe and ecomight. The eco might is the only systemic herbicide that seems to work like glyphosate. Only issue is I do not think they will break up cases and sell smaller sizes but it’s worked wonders for us and it’s safe. Its the only systemic weedkiler we have found (systemic = kills to the roots). We have HOA and property mgmt company and review organic products if they are worthwhile.this is link to the review http://ecomight.com/reviews. Good luck and hope this helps. BTW, we have degrees in turf grass management and have found that replacing one product for a safe one is not a big deal provided it doesn’t break the bank and it’s effective. Feel free to priveat msg me if you want our info. thanks and hope this helps.
The council did not appear to consider the toxicity of the replacement herbicides. All herbicides are toxic -it is their toxicity and dose that matters. Glyphosate has been shown to be the least toxic of herbicides and is said to not be a cancer forming agent by many governments based on science. Judging a science topic based on a jury of laypersons in the USA is hardly sound policy especially since the USA is now full of fake conspiracy theories. The council should be making sure the replacement solution is not more toxic !
try EcoMight. it’s the only one that kills the roots and is safe.