Deputies call for glyphosate ban

Wednesday 16 October 2019

A group of deputies are campaigning for Guernsey laws around glyphosate - a potentially harmful herbicide most commonly used in 'Roundup' - to be changed.

Currently, the product is freely available to buy, sell and use in the island, despite research suggesting it could cause cancer in humans.

However, Deputies De Lisle, Paint, Prow, Gollop, Dudley-Owen, Le Pelley and Lester Queripel would like to see that change.

The dangers of the chemical were brought to light recently in the USA, where a court case ended with $2billion being awarded in damages to people who claimed they were diagnosed with cancer after years of using 'Roundup'.

The World Health Organisation has linked it to pollution of water sources and has even found it in the breast milk of some American women.

Pictured: The deputies putting forward a Requête on glyphosate.

As a result of the findings, some countries and jurisdictions around the world have taken action to limit or ban the use of glyphosate. States Works is among those to take action, agreeing to stop using the chemical by the end of next year.

The group of Guernsey deputies have noted the rising level of glyphosate contamination in the island's water supply and are asking that the Committee for Employment and Social Security ban the use of the chemical by the end of March next year. They are backed by a number of local organisations, including the Pollinator Project and Island Mums, who have raised concerns about the dangers of the product.

In their requête, the group recommend ESS consider granting licensed approval so professionals can use the herbicide to control noxious weeds - for which a suitable alternative is yet to be found.

Following the requête's publication however it has failed to get the backing it needs from ESS President, Deputy Michelle Le Clerc who said the committee can't support the document in its current form.

Pictured: ESS President Deputy Michelle Le Clerc.

Subsequently, Deputies David de Lisle and Rob Prow have lodged an amendment, which will be considered if the requête is not approved.

It asks that ESS speak with all relevant stakeholders in the Bailiwick about the use of glyphosate, review any available research and return the States with a plan before the end of this political term.

Both the requête and amendment are due to be debated this week.

Pictured top: File image.