“The Public Participation Network Climate Change, Environment and Water Linkage Group proposes that the Chief Executive takes measures to ensure that glyphosate is not used in the Fingal area, especially around playgrounds, public playing fields and graveyards by Council staff or any Contractors.”

“The Public Participation Network Climate Change, Environment and Water Linkage Group proposes that the Chief Executive takes measures to ensure that glyphosate is not used in the Fingal area, especially around playgrounds, public playing fields and graveyards by Fingal staff or any contractors.” 

Response 

In relation to the general overall Pesticide policy currently being operated by Fingal County Council, the Council has used several non-chemical weed control alternatives over the last number of years, including some vinegar-based solutions, hot steam/foam applicators and mechanical brushing techniques. All systems tried have a noticeably short reaction time and will result in increasing the labour input to match the reapplication visits required. Traditional herbicide application would require one to two visits annually, while a vinegar-based solution applied via traditional knapsack applicator will require a minimum of approximately 10 applications during the growing season. 

During 2021 the Council engaged in a pilot project using Hot Foam Treatment as a non-chemical weed solution in selected trial locations. The method and results of this trial indicate that use of this system will significantly increase the labour input. The objective of the trial was to find a suitable alternative with an applicator system that can be used within our current maintenance regime. The initial observations on the trials have already highlighted that there is not one single replacement alternative to glyphosate but instead it will require multiple changes in how we design and maintain the public realm. 

Work has commenced on the production of a formal Herbicide Policy for the County. The trials carried out during 2021 and a period of public consultation will feed into this process. It is important to remember that the levels of herbicide being used are extremely low and necessary in all circumstances. Finding alternative suitable solutions is a process that requires careful consideration and planning as it has an enormous knock-on effect on how staff carry out the regular expected maintenance in the public realm. It is planned that Fingal County Council will have a Draft Pesticide Policy prepared in December 2022 which will be discussed by the SPC prior to being put out on display for public consultation, in Quarter 1 2023. 

The Council is also liaising with the other local authorities as part of a National Scientific Assessment of Alternatives to Herbicide Use in the Maintenance of Amenity Public Open Spaces. 

To simply stop all use without an alternative plan in place is not considered feasible and until a working Herbicide Policy is agreed and in place, the Council will continue to use the very minimum necessary levels that complies with all current legislative requirements. During 2022 there has been a phased reduction in the use of Chemical Herbicides with the result that chemical herbicides are not being used in public open spaces, around playgrounds and residential open spaces, as they had been previously. In the most challenging areas, along the kerb lines on the main roads that access routes into towns and villages and, within the rural graveyards where  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28

“The Public Participation Network Climate Change, Environment and Water Linkage Group proposes that the Chief Executive takes measures to ensure that glyphosate is not used in the Fingal area, especially around playgrounds, public playing fields and graveyards by Fingal staff or any contractors.”