Highland Council glyphosate use since 2022 despite demands for it be phased out
The scale of Highland Council glyphosate use since 2022 has been revealed despite demands it be phased out.
The weedkiller remains controversial because of alleged but inconclusive evidence that it causes cancer.
The local authority continues to deploy glyphosate to control weeds in numerous settings despite the council agreeing that it should be gradually phased out.
There have been calls from an MSP as well as parent across the region after the weedkiller was used at schools and playgrounds.
Inverness Greens Councillor Ryan MacKintosh asked how much the council managed to reduce its Glyphosate usage compared with last year.
He was told that in 2022 a total of 111 kg was used; in 2023, 39.62 kg was used and in 2024, 47.64 kg was used by council staff.
The response continued: “Glyphosate usage has fluctuated over the past three years, but the overall trend is downward.
“This year-on-year reduction is expected to stabilise soon, as we have implemented nearly all feasible measures to minimise its use”.
It was added that key factors that influence glyphosate usage include:
• Weather Conditions: Glyphosate is a non-persistent herbicide, making its effectiveness and requirement highly dependent on weather. In 2023, a hot and dry summer naturally limited weed growth, reducing the need for multiple treatments. Conversely, 2024 experienced a cooler, wetter summer, ideal for weed growth, resulting in the need for repeated targeted applications and a corresponding rise in usage.
• Trial and Error in Reduction Efforts: Reducing glyphosate use often involves a degree of experimentation. In some cases, lower application rates can lead to unacceptable levels of weed growth in public areas. When this occurs, removing well-established weeds later in the season can require more herbicide than would have been needed to control young seedlings earlier. Nonetheless, such trials are valuable steps toward achieving long-term reductions in chemical weed control.
• Service Requests and Expanded Areas: Occasionally, additional areas are added to the treatment schedule or services request weed control in locations not previously treated. These changes can create apparent inconsistencies in the downward trend of usage.