What would you like to see on the streets around you? A few wildflowers popping up here and there, maybe? Bees, and butterflies enjoying an unexpected treat of nectar? Or pavements and roadsides that are totally clear of any plants or flowers? (Let’s call them ‘pioneer plants, not ‘weeds’).
A monoculture of short grass, a scarcity of insects? (We know which one we’d prefer!)
What if the choice were that, in order to achieve this ‘neat and tidy’ scene, devoid of wayward ‘weeds’, you had to put up with the locality being sprayed with a weed killer containing glyphosate?
This is effectively the situation in our own town right now. The use of glyphosate around Seaford is causing many of us concern due to its potential negative impacts on our health and wellbeing.
A few weeks back, residents were concerned to see contractors out and about in Seaford, spraying roadsides etc. It turns out that the contractors (employed by East Sussex County Council) were spraying with a weed killer containing glyphosate; a chemical which scientists warn has potential to damage ecosystems by disrupting natural food chains and plant pollination. And that’s not counting the health concerns surrounding its use. (A recent US study showed that a staggering 80 percent of urine samples contained traces of glyphosate, with the most concerning levels in young people and children).
On the Verge were sufficiently concerned to start a dialogue with local town and county councillors, who, we are glad to say, share our concerns. We aim to work with them to persuade ESCC to move away from this practice as soon as possible.
We were pleased to learn that ESCC are currently trialling alternatives to glyphosate. But they need to know that local residents are behind them.
We are asking anyone who shares our concerns to please email: customer@eastsussexhighways.com
It is crucial that ESCC are made aware of the level of concern amongst the local community, so, please, put aside a few minutes to pen that email. The more of us who let them know, the better!
On the Verge, Seaford
