SALISBURY City Council declared a climate change emergency in 2019 to move the council towards carbon neutrality and to enhance biodiversity.  

At the Environment and Climate council meeting last night, (Monday, October 9), the council members discussed whether to amend the policy to allow the reintroduction of glyphosates for invasive species.

Glyphosates are toxic chemicals  which do not degrade or break down and the chemicals can remain in the environment. The soil association indicates there is the risk of leaching of glyphosate into deeper soil layers. The chemicals could end up in ground or surface waters. Rainfall can also increase the risk of glyphosate loss from soil through erosion.  

Read more: Dogs Trust issues warning ahead of firework season

Councillor Sven Hocking expressed the view that the council had been too quick to "jump on the green bandwagon" before it realised the consequences of its actions.

He said: “While glyphosate is not particularly friendly stuff if you drink it, it does work on weeds and had been used in the city for decades. 

“What we have here is a case of ‘oops, didn't think of that, never mind, we'll take the easy option’ and make an exception in this case."

Read more: Train line to be closed for 16 days

Japanese knotweed was originally introduced as an ornamental garden plant, but is an invasive non-native species. Pollinators are attracted to the flowers as a source of nectar.

Glyphosate may contaminate soil which could affect important ecosystem engineers - earthworms.  Six studies confirm there is a damaging effect. 

A spokesperson for the council said: “There are a number of locations on city council land, where invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed is problematic. The City Council has tried various non-glyphosate treatments on these invasive species, which unfortunately have not been as successful as hoped.

“The City Council is no different to any other landowner and we have a legal responsibility to stop invasive species from spreading off of our property and land. We could be prosecuted for it. This is under the provisions made within Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.”

At the Environmental and Climate Committee meeting, the city council voted to amend their policy to allow glyphosate to be used for the treatment of invasive species.