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Her organisation, Spray Free Streets, is seeking the ban on the basis of glyphosate’s classification by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a probable human carcinogen.
Georgina says people are angry about Council’s increasing use of the spray in public parks and streets. “People who signed the petition said they were worried about taking their children to the park with the risk of exposure to the spray.”
Georgina hoped to present the petition to the governing body meeting, before the full council, on June 30 but was instead given a half hour meeting with Mayor Len Brown, during which she handed over the petition.
“He is very clear on his position, which is that the NZ Environmental Protection Authority says Roundup is safe and there is no intention of changing Council’s policy unless that classification changes.”
She says other Councils are bowing to public pressure to ban the use of glyphosate based on the perceived risk to public health, with the WHO classification regarded as sufficient.
“In recent weeks, Christchurch City Council has agreed to phase out the use of chemicals in public spaces, Rotorua Lakes Council is looking at alternatives and so are Tauranga and Hastings councils,” Georgina says. “Those councils seem to be having a more open dialogue with their community, rather than flat out saying ‘no’.”
Spray Free Streets will present an open letter to Council’s Regional Strategy & Policy Committee on July 7. The letter asks each councillor to state their views on the use of glyposate for the record, in the lead up to the elections.
Comment from Mayor Brown was sought and the reply from his office was that although he received the petition and discussed it with the petitioners, he is unable to make any comment until it is formally presented to the Committee this week.
Media Release – Mayor calls for Weed Management Policy review
Auckland Mayor Len Brown today announced a review of the council’s Weed Management Policy after a petition was received at the Regional Policy and Strategy Committee meeting.
The petition, signed by 3696 people, calls on the council to stop using glyphosate sprays on the city’s roads and parks.
Auckland is one of the weediest cities in the world and Auckland Council has a responsibility to manage the effects of weeds on the city’s biodiversity, primary production and infrastructure.
“There is some community concern about the use of glyphosate and our current policy is not as clear as it could be about what weed control methods we use, where we use them and why we use them,” says Mayor Brown.
“As a responsible council we need to respond to that concern while still controlling weeds in the most appropriate ways possible. A review of the policy will be helpful and is a good start on the best way forward.”
Auckland Council uses a range of weed management techniques, including glyphosate.
Technical specialists determine which method to use based on efficacy, cost and the impact on the environment.
The council strictly follows the rules set down by the Environmental Protection Authority which approves the use of glyphosate in New Zealand for the control of specific weed species.
All methods used by the council comply with national standards and industry best practice.
Glyphosate is commonly used by the public under the brand name Roundup, available off the shelf at supermarkets and garden centres.
“I am sure those who have signed the petition will welcome the review and the opportunity to take part in the process,” says Mayor Brown.
“I will work with the committee chair George Wood to get the review underway immediately and a report will be made to the September committee meeting.”
