{"id":52967,"date":"2021-03-24T21:33:35","date_gmt":"2021-03-24T21:33:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=52967"},"modified":"2021-03-24T21:33:36","modified_gmt":"2021-03-24T21:33:36","slug":"council-disputes-social-media-claims-about-new-weed-killer-in-trials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2021\/03\/24\/council-disputes-social-media-claims-about-new-weed-killer-in-trials\/","title":{"rendered":"Council disputes social media claims about new weed-killer in trials"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Spray, brought in to replace harmful glyphosates, is not dangerous to bees, despite objections<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

CARDIFF Council has denied social media claims that bees are under threat from a new weed-killer spray it is trialling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Posts claimed a new glyphosate-free weed-killer, New Way Weed Spray, could put biodiversity at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, a council spokesperson said the manufacturer Headline Amenity had given assurances the product had been independently tested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe current, most up-to-date product information for New Way Weed Spray does not include any warnings about dangers to bees,” said the spokesperson. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“What has been posted on social media about the product is out of date and relates to a time before the product was independently tested to ensure it was safe for pollinators,” they added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The herbicide alternative has a high concentration of acetic acid to kill weeds on contact and is being trialled in streets across Riverside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The trial is designed to help the council move away from glyphosates, which have been linked to health and environmental issues globally. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in most weed-killers licensed for use by most local authorities in the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We’re pleased that they are looking at alternatives. It would be interesting to more about this revised advice,” said Terry Howe of Friends of the Earth Cardiff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, he added: “I think some of the councillors are obsessed with Cardiff being big and important, rather than providing a good quality of life. I think the destroyers have got more power than the planters.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the trial was announced last Wednesday, March 17, some environmentalists in the city posted to slam the decision, quoting the old guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"