Opt Out and Meet The Neighbours
By Susan McFie
Many local residents are furious over the dumping of sewage into our coastal waters. Many more are rightly concerned about the spraying of their streets with a dangerous herbicide. The feeling that we are powerless against the systems that perpetuate this unnecessary pollution and threat to our health leaves many of us feeling angry and frustrated. But is there something we can do?
The annual spraying of our streets with glyphosate will take place again this year in May. The responsibility for keeping streets and pavements clear of weeds in the county lies with East Sussex County Council. Their preferred method is to spray with glyphosate (also known as Roundup). In 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency on Research into Carcinogens identified glyphosate as ‘probably carcinogenic [cancer-causing] to humans’.
In a landmark case in 2019, DeWayne Johnson, a former grounds keeper from California who had sprayed glyphosate extensively in his work and later developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma, was awarded $298m (later reduced to $20m) in damages against Monsanto after a jury decided that the company had failed to warn him of the cancer risks. Johnson was on one occasion accidentally drenched in the chemical. His doctor confirmed that he had developed lesions over 80% of his body. Since that time billions of dollars have been paid out settling lawsuits.
MASS EXTINCTION EVENT
The impact upon biodiversity is only just beginning to be calculated. Studies have found that glyphosate harms the gut bacteria in insects including honeybees. This has multiple impacts including reproductive failure and vulnerability to infection. In 2021 the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science published 12 studies on what was described by scientists as a “mass extinction event” “tearing apart the tapestry of life”.
However on a local level there is now something we can do about it. Thanks to pressure from Green Party Councillors, Hastings residents can choose not to have their streets sprayed with a potentially carcinogenic herbicide. The Green Party told HIP “Last year, Hastings and Lewes residents took part in a successful pilot scheme to reduce the amount of glyphosate used by the county council to kill pavement weeds. There were two parts to the scheme: a ‘DIY’ resident-organised weeding programme, and a ‘reactive’ programme where weeds were pulled by hand by Highways contractors, but only where complaints were registered.”
SOCIAL BENEFITS
In Hastings, the wards involved were Old Hastings, Tressell, Central St Leonards and Gensing. Julia Hilton, Green County Councillor for Old Hastings and Tressell, said, “Residents in Hastings are very keen on this scheme. I ended up with a waiting list last year so I’m pleased the pilot will continue. We’ve also pressed for better coordination between different operations. For instance, gulleys being swept stops weeds from taking hold and also helps to keep our drains clear.”
Lewes Green County Councillor, Wendy Maples, pointed out that in reducing harmful chemicals there were benefits to biodiversity, waterways and human health. “But there are social benefits as well, with some residents scheduling a community weeding day as a chance not only to clear weeds, but also to get to know their neighbours.”
DON THE WELLIES
The scheme is now open again. Residents can ask for their street not to be sprayed, in return committing to regularly removing weeds by hand. Locations will be assessed for suitability, and 60% of the residents will need to support the idea for the street to be opted out. So if you dread the unnatural patch of dried out plant life around the trees and garden walls, if you’re concerned about biodiversity and potential health risks it may be time to don the wellies and meet the neighbours. The sign up deadline is 3rd March 2023.
Hastings residents can email [email protected], or contact Cllr Julia Hilton at [email protected] if they want their street to take part.
We hope you have enjoyed reading this article. The future of our volunteer led, non-profit publication would be far more secure with the aid of a small donation. You can also support local journalism by becoming a friend of HIP. It only takes a minute and we would be very grateful.
Leave a Reply