Council 'will listen' to weedkiller objections

Council 'will listen' to weedkiller objections53 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleSeb Noble,Cornwall political reporterandChloe Parkman,South West

BBC A sign which says 'please no glyphosate the toxicity affects birds, butterflies, insects, bees, aquatic life in our ocean and human health'.

BBCDemonstrations were held on Tuesday

Objections over the environmental impact of reintroducing weedkiller to maintain local highways would be listened to, Cornwall Council has said.

After not using a chemical called glyphosate for a decade the authority plans to use it again in a targeted and diluted form from next month.

Concerns have been raised over the chemical's impact on health and the environment as well as the time frame for local towns and villagers to opt out of the scheme.

The council insisted it would not ignore a vote by members on Tuesday calling for plans to be reconsidered.

A man wearing a green shirt standing outdoors in a woodland area.

Loic Rich, cabinet portfolio holder for the environment, said there was a "really clear message"

Tuesday's motion was advisory, meaning cabinet is not legally obliged to act on it.

Demonstrations were held outside the council's headquarters in Truro during the full council meeting.

Green group leader councillor Drew Creek said reintroducing glyphosate would be harmful to human health as well as the environment.

Creek said he hoped the council would "work collaboratively" with town and parish councils to "explore other options".

Labour group leader, councillor Kate Ewert, said smaller councils had been "disrespected and ignored" during the process.

"They've given them no time to put in back-up plans, essentially just holding a gun to their head to say 'you have to opt in'."

A woman wearing a red coat is standing outdoors in front of a brick building. She is wearing a cross body bag which has a Zebra patterned strap.

Ewert said other councils had been "disrespected and ignored"

Loic Rich, cabinet portfolio holder for the environment, said there was a "really clear message" which came from the meeting on Tuesday.

"I just don't think we could ignore that," he said.

"We had a motion and I think that's because people around Cornwall felt that the idea of weed control that we're proposing has not given the towns and the parishes enough time to properly consider implications.

"We're going to have to listen to the council. They've made a message today loud and clear to us and we're going to listen."