Fears over safety
Since our critical article 12 months ago, calls have been made to speed up a timetable to end the use of a potentially harmful weedkiller – glyphosate – in the city of Southend. Glyphosate is a common herbicide used on weeds. However there have long been fears about its safety. In 2015, the World Health Organisation’s Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic in humans”.
Pesticide Action Network says that “Glyphosate has also been found to have adverse effects on earthworms, beneficial insects and bees.” Glyphosate is an ingredient in generic herbicides like Roundup. The use of the herbicide is not banned in the EU but Austria, Luxembourg and Germany have introduced partial bans, prohibiting its use in certain areas.
In France, the Netherlands and Belgium, glyphosate is banned for household use.
Southend pledge
Back in January 2022, Carole Mulroney, then councillor with responsibility for Environment, Culture, Tourism & Planning, said: “We are putting £120,000 into the phasing out of glyphosate in our parks and gardens as a pilot scheme. We’re going to be looking at a range of alternatives … some of it being manual, some will probably be water based solutions. There’s a whole range of things we can look at to see which is the most effective.”
Then in 2024, Southend Council passed a motion to end the use of glyphosate as a herbicide, over fears of its impact on wildlife, particularly pollinators such as bees and butterflies. It is hoped that the council have since been exploring alternative options, but although they no longer spray it in parks, it is still used on highways.
Additionally, Southend’s Green party fears new waste contractors Suez will still use it to clear weeds across the city as part of their remit.
‘Irresponsible’
Green Party activist Kay Mitchell says: “While the joint administration has commitments to explore alternatives to herbicides in public spaces, this is not given the urgency it requires. Glyphosate poses a risk to wildlife, biodiversity and human health as it enters the water, food chain and the air we breathe.”
Mitchell believes it’s irresponsible to find the waste contract includes the use of glyphosate to clear weeds. She says the council should be doing everything it can to improve air quality and remove harmful elements such as glyphosate, so people and wildlife are not exposed to unnecessary herbicides and residents’ health is protected.
‘Serious declines’
Stuart Allen, Green Party councillor for Leigh Ward, says: “We are seeing serious declines in pollinators like bees and butterflies – creatures vital to both our food systems and biodiversity. Last December, I brought forward a motion, approved by councillors, to phase out the use of glyphosate. I am disappointed that more progress has not been made to end its use in our city.”
Still working on it
Lydia Hyde, councillor responsible for climate, environment and waste, says: “Reducing glyphosate use is a key priority for the joint administration. We’ve already stopped using it in many parks and open spaces, and we’re now focused on removing its use from highways too. In line with our commitment to explore alternatives to herbicides in public spaces, we’ve been researching techniques and are preparing to trial alternative methods.
“This is not a simple or quick task, as we must also ensure weeds are kept at bay. This year has seen particularly high weed growth, and we recognise that standards have not met expectations. Any trial must be carefully managed to avoid making this situation worse. Our solution must be thoroughly tested and evidence-led to ensure it delivers the high standards of street scene our residents expect. We’re actively reviewing options that are effective and offer good value for money, and remain committed to reducing glyphosate use wherever we can.”
Slow progress?
This longstanding issue is clearly controversial. Some councillors and residents are asking if it will soon finally be possible to stop the application of glyphosate on highways, and use another method of eradicating unwanted vegetation.
This article uses information from articles by Christine Sexton (10 January 2022 and 5 September 2025), edited by East Anglia Bylines.
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