Council use of glyphosate to continue

The herbicide glyphosate will continue to be used by Central Coast Council.

In February, the Peninsula Environment Group's Nature Playgroup called on Council to justify its use of glyphosate in a drainage easement adjacent to Neera Rd.

One manufacturer, Monsanto, in the meantime has been ordered to pay $US289 million in damages to a man who alleged its glyphosate-based herbicide caused his cancer.

The ruling, made in the San Francisco Superior Court, is under appeal but it has raised questions by the Australian Cancer Council and other authorities about the chemical's continued use in Australia.

Glyphosate is already listed in California as a chemical known to cause cancer and by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer as a probable human carcinogen.

Council has been asked to explain its position on the use of glyphosate in light of the Monsanto damages finding.

Council's unit manager Mr Luke Sulkowski said that the health and safety of vouncil workers and the community were taken very seriously.

The Council ensured responsible practices were in place for the safe use of herbicides whilst protecting the environment, he said.

"Council applies herbicides containing glyphosate for the purpose of weed control," Mr Sulkowski said.

"Weed control is essential for the management of our local waterways, biodiversity, property and assets, and our natural built environments.

"Glyphosate is registered for use in Australia by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.

"The Authority advises that products containing glyphosate can be used safely in accordance with directions on the label.

"Council staff who apply pesticides are appropriately trained in accordance with the requirements of the Pesticides Act 1999 and application occurs in accordance with directions on the label.

"Application of any herbicides within a public area is notified in accordance with Council's Pesticide Use Notification Plan (which includes herbicides, insecticides, algaecides).

"This plan was developed in consultation with the community and approved by the NSW Environment Protection Authority.

"In addition, herbicide application within waterways is undertaken in accordance with an Environment Protection Licence issued and regulated by the NSW Environment Protection Authority."

The Pesticide Use Notification Plan and EPL can be found on Council's website.

SOURCE:

Media statement, 21 Aug 2018

Luke Sultowski, Central Coast Council