Stop using Glyphosate in Haringey (parks, green spaces, and other areas currently in use)
The risk to human, animal and wildlife health is un-acceptable.
We urge Haringey, in-line with neighbouring council Hackney, to urgently move to an alternative, ecologically sound method to achieve the same effect 
Protect our health, your staff’s health; protect our pets, local wild-life and the eco-system of our borough.

Background

In April/May ’21, the Friends of Finsbury Park noted bleaching on the ground in Finsbury Park. Asking around, we noted in green spaces and other local parks in Haringey, similar bleaching was taking place. We enquired formally with the council, but have not heard back. Informal enquiries suggest the product used contains Glyphosate (Nomix Duo - bit.ly/3ytuGyZ)

Ask

We are asking Haringey Council and their contractors to stop using glyphosate based products in our parks and open spaces with immediate effect. 

It’s toxic for humans, animals, plants and insects. It destroys microbes in our soil and devastates biodiversity. It gets into the air we breathe and the water we drink. Other boroughs have banned its use and we urge Haringey to do the same. 

Science

We are not experts but are informed by guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO). They have categorised Glyphosate a ‘probable carcinogen’ for Humans, and noted other impacts to animals & our wildlife.

Details: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/widely-used-herbicide-linked-to-cancer/

Whilst not as neutral as the WHO, Pesticide Action Network UK has sought to set out some further background on Glyphosate products here: https://www.pan-uk.org/glyphosate/

Alternatives

Neighbouring council Hackney has considered alternative approaches (https://news.hackney.gov.uk/rebuilding-a-greener-hackney--council-estates-go-glyphosate-free-for-2021/ We acknowledge that one of the alternatives may be more manual weeding, but, note many other approaches appear to be having success that do not have a cost implication to them - e.g. mulching, use of diluted vinegar, or boiling water. They may have more effort than sending a contractor with a barrel of poison around, but they are materially less harmful.

Friends of Finsbury Park Resolution (General Meeting May ’21)

The Friends Of Finsbury Park object to Haringey Council making use of products containing Glyphosate within Finsbury Park, and, other green spaces within the borough. 

We believe the impacts on health and the ecosystem are un-acceptable. We note other boroughs and organisations have stopped using them, and, found other ways to achieve outcomes required.  

We urge Haringey Council to urgently adopt alternative, ecologically sound measures. 

We have requested a formal response from the Director of Public Health for Haringey; we will partner with other community groups to achieve this aim.

Please sign our petition!