Monday, 22nd October 2007

Proposed new rules from Brussels banning the use of pesticides and weed-killers in public areas are poised to wreak havoc on the country.

An EU directive, up for approval by MEPs in Strasbourg, will mean that chemical pesticides will be prohibited from use in areas such as sports grounds, including Wembley and Twickenham pitches and Aintree racecourse, school playgrounds, National Trust properties and motorway and rail verges.

"The implications are devastating," said Euro MP John Whittaker. "As well as the obvious financial consequences. there are also important safety implications."

Dr Whittaker, North West MEP for the UK Independence Party, added: "Rail track signalling and point-switching equipment needs to be kept weed-free for obvious reasons and overgrown brambles could be a lethal trip hazard for rail maintenance workers. Overgrown verges would be another safety hazard on roads and motorways."

Protecting children from chemicals while they are playing in the park was an understandable motive, he said, "but this country already has extremely stringent chemical spraying controls. this is ill-thought out legislation without consideration for the consequences.

"How on earth can groundsmen keep huge areas, such as public parks and golf courses, weed-free by hand? And even smaller areas such as cricket pitches and bowling greens would be a nightmare to maintain weed-free without chemical controls.

"We are highlighting this issue, which the other Europhile parties are apparently ignoring, so that the public can be warned of these plans, which UKIP MEPs will be strenuously opposing in the European Parliament."

Dr Whittaker's views are echoed by Paul Cawood, business development manager for specialist treatment firm Languard, who says he is particularly worried about urban weed control.

"At present it costs £20-£25 a kilometre to effectively manage weed control of pavements about twice a year. If this effective method is removed, the next alternative is using weed burners or weed brushes, which are six to ten times more expensive," said Mr Cawood.

"As well as the potential risk to the public, think about the carbon footprint. Local authorities do not have a big enough budget for alternative weed control.

"The current system has been in place since 1988 and is the most effective in Europe. We have a world class executive body, the Pesticide Safety Directorate, part of DEFRA, which grants approval of pesticides. British scientists make sure they are safe for the public, the people using them and the environment."

Mr Cawood said the EU proposals would mean he could use products from a garden centre for his own garden which a professional groundsman, trained to a high standard and using calibrated equipment, could not use.

"It is plainly nonsense."

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