Reading Council Faces Pressure Over Pesticide Use

Reading still uses the herbicide glyphosate to kill weeds down to the root, despite worries about environmental and health impacts, including risks to animals and possible links to cancer.

Concerns were raised at a full council meeting. Councillor James Moore pointed to a 2022 trial and a July 2023 committee decision requiring any new weed-control contract to include a commitment from the successful bidder to work towards a suitable alternative.

He also asked whether a new contract had been awarded since July 2023 and what progress had been made, noting many UK councils are cutting pesticide use or committing to phase out glyphosate.

The question was answered by Finn McGoldrick, the councils newly appointed lead councillor for environmental services. She said the council must balance environmental responsibilities with keeping the public realm maintained.

McGoldrick said the council has moved to annual weed-control procurement since 2024 to allow new technology to be adopted quickly, and that contractors are required to work with the council on alternatives while officers review the market and other councils experience.

She said glyphosate use has already been reduced by 25 per cent and that the council applies integrated weed-management: targeted treatments, reduced frequency, avoidance of sensitive areas and ongoing review of alternatives.

However, she told councillors that current trials and wider sector evidence show glyphosate is the only treatment that reliably kills roots. Alternatives need far more labour, water and fuel, are less effective on established weeds, and so do not yet match glyphosate for effectiveness, practicality and value for money.

McGoldrick said she supports a report into alternatives being prepared. The answer was given at the council meeting on 30 June; she succeeded Karen Rowland as lead councillor for environmental services after the elections.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter