Glyphosate has been found by the World Health Organisation to be
carcinogenic. As 'Roundup' and other similar substances its other
ingredients have recently been found to be even more toxic to
humans than it's active ingredient. Currently these substances are
sprayed all over our paths and roads contaminating our air and our
living environment by our council, with no necessity and apparently
no qualms. Considering the evidence and needs I find it beyond
belief that my two year old daughter has to walk on pavements where
carcinogenic substances have been applied by our council using our
council taxes. When she goes to the park I find it disgusting she
has to walk past bowling greens and on paving stones sprayed with
toxic chemicals. If she visits a school I find it distressing and
abhorrent that the playground and playing fields will have been
doused for no good reason other than routine with these
substances.
These substances are being applied for spurious reasons with
immediately negative impacts on wildlife and natural beauty and
potentially devastating health impacts for residents. Greenery and
biodiversity are proven to improve health and well-being. It is
part of our childrens' birthright and key to learning and good
health that they are able to discover the outdoors and nature. Use
of these chemicals kills plants that our wildlife thrive on. Bees
are under pressure, moths are under pressure. With pressure on
these small animals bats numbers will drop, birds numbers will
drop, hedgehogs, foxes, all sprayed out, so eventually we live in a
bare environment with no flowers and no birdsong. This is not a
legacy I want for any child for the sake of a bare-looking kerb. It
is a question of perspective and priorities. Nature is precious and
our health is precious and both depend on each other. Persepctives
can shift, wildflowers, wildlife, biodiversity and good health are
rights and things we should all be able to access and enjoy in our
local environments. When the time is taken to appreciate and learn
about 'weeds' they cease being weeds and become a source of
pleasure. Children already start learning this at school, this
should be encouraged and promoted to the wider community,
wildflower verges should be the norm rather than exceptions. I
would like all people in the borough to be able to enjoy wildlife
on their doorsteps and to have their well-being improved by it
rather than being exposed to health risks both physical and mental
by this indefensible chemical spraying activity by the
council.
Many councils round the country including some in the North-west
have now banned the use Roundup, glyphosate and other toxic
chemicals. There are plenty of other options for maintaining
infrastructure without the use of herbicides.
Trafford Council's 5 Public Health Policy aims include reducing the
impact of mental illness, reducing physical inactivity and
improving cancer prevention. This policy of chemical warfare on
greenery directly contradicts these three policies, we therefore
demand the cessation of spraying herbicides with immediate
effect.
This ePetition ran from 31/05/2018 to 28/11/2018 and has now finished.
26 people signed this ePetition.