Poisoning the environment - scrutiny panel's plea to ban glyphosate falls (so far) on deaf ears

   

Spray and go! The almost mathematical sterility that characterises the bases of the trees on Taylors Avenue

IT looks like there will be no slackening off by  North East Lincolnshire Council in its use of the poison, glyphosate, to kill off wild flowers - at least under the trees on streets such as Taylors Avenue in Cleethorpes.

Despite a call from one of the authority's scrutiny panels to hold back, the administration keeps on spraying regardless.

Widely sold under the name, Roundup, the chemical  has been linked to many human diseases and was described in one scientific journal as possibly "the most biologically disruptive chemical in our environment".

By killing wildflowers and grass, glyphosate also eliminates foraging opportunities for birds, butterflies, bees and other pollinating insects.

A trail of poisoned vegetation running as far as the eye can see - the sprayed verge border near the entrance to Haverstoe Park

How Taylors Avenue might look if NELC gave nature a chance - as, to its credit, it does in Cleethorpes Country Park 

The Grimsby News says: NELC is seriously strapped for cash, so why is it continuing to splash out cash on a chemical, glyphosate, which not only poisons the environment but also put its residents' health at risk? Its conduct is  irresponsible and gives the lie to its oft-stated claim that it is a green-friendly authority. The three Haverstoe ward councillors are all Conservatives and thus have the ear of the administration. They should insist that this regrettable practice desists forthwith.