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To all Embsay with Eastby Residents.
It has come to our attention that it is North Yorkshire Council’s policy to use Glyphosate as part of their weed control policy.

This happens twice yearly in our villages and is sprayed on road edges where kerbs are present and the rear of paved footways.

Glyphosate is a herbicide that kills most plants and, although it is still legal here, has been a cause for controversy for some years because of its possible health risk to humans and wildlife.

In 2015 the International Agency for Research in Cancer (a unit of the World Health Organisation) said that “it is probably carcinogenic to humans”. Scientists have proven that it causes DNA damage and embryonic development failure to wildlife. Pollinators, like bees, are more vulnerable to disease and become disorientated.

A number of countries have banned this substance including France, Austria, Portugal, Germany and Qatar. Up to 80 councils across the UK have also stopped its use and are finding alternative methods of coping with weeds.

David Noland, our Green Party Councillor, tells us that they are currently lobbying NYC to stop its use. The Parish Council are planning to discuss this issue when they resume meeting in September after the summer break. Our villages were last sprayed on June 2nd this year, and another is programmed for mid-September.

Please see below North Yorkshire Highways Weed Control maps for Embsay.

We believe that if there is any doubt at all about the safety and environmental effect of using Glyphosate then it should be banned, and we need to campaign to that effect. If you agree with this viewpoint please take time to email or write to:

David Jones (Project Manager) – area5skipton@northyorks.gov.uk
Julian Smith (MP for Skipton and Ripon) – julian.smith.mp@parliament.uk

If you prefer, please sign the petition that you will find in the foyer of the Village Hall that we can then forward to the above and show to the Parish Council.

At a time when the world is in environmental crisis, we need to ban the use of chemicals that upset the balance of nature as well as risk human health. Let’s follow the lead of other councils who have taken action and are establishing alternatives as well as promoting thoughtful public engagement which encourages a shift in mentality and greater appreciation for biodiversity.

An article exploring the issue of banning Glyphosate can be found here: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jul/12/its-a-non-party-political-issue-banning-the-weed-killer-glyphosate

The Embsay with Eastby Environmental Action Group