Anger over use of glyphosates for weed-spraying in Athlone estate
Residents on the west side of Athlone were furious after was is believed to be another round of spraying of glyphosate-based herbicides, commonly called “Roundup” on Wednesday last.
Spraying was reported in the areas around Deepark Road, Lyster Street, Castle Street, Parnell Square and Goldsmith Terrace. According to Westmeath County Council’s Biodiversity Action Plan (2022) herbicides and pesticides containing glyphosate should only be used where Residents Associations have made a specific request to the council.
Community activist Mickey Moran had been in touch with a number of residents in the affected areas and has reported that it appears from conversations with multiple residents no “opt-in” request was made to the council.
Moran stated: “Aside from the foul smell, residents are extremely concerned about potential carcinogenic effects of glyphosate-based herbicides. In 2015, a study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, an arm of the World Health Organisation, found that glyphosate, main ingredient of Roundup, “probably carcinogenic to humans.”
“In the USA; Bayer, the parent company of Monsanto who makes Roundup has paid out over $6 billion dollars in settlements of lawsuits related to the development of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in people exposed to the chemical.”
Moran said there were also concerns around the impact on biodiversity. He said the widespread use of Roundup removes flowering plants that provide essential food sources and habitat for pollinators, insects, birds, and other wildlife. The cumulative impact of repeated spraying contributes to the gradual impoverishment of local ecosystems and reinforces the phenomenon known as "shifting baseline syndrome," where each generation accepts a reduced level of biodiversity as normal because losses occur incrementally over time.”
Moran finished: “The systemic use of round up needs to stop, and the “opt-in” clause needs to be adhered to.
In a statement, Westmeath County Council said “herbicide treatment” was undertaken in parts of Athlone recently as part of the Municipal District’s programme for the maintenance of public footpaths and spaces.
“Any herbicide use is undertaken in accordance with the council’s Rational Use of Pesticides Policy, which seeks to minimise pesticide use and prioritise non-chemical methods where practicable. However, herbicide treatment may be used where considered necessary to assist in maintaining public areas in a safe and accessible condition.”