Oxford City Council is looking to continue its limited and carefully controlled use of glyphosate to tackle weeds and invasive plants across the city.
Next month, Oxford City Council’s Cabinet will be asked to approve the continued use of glyphosate throughout the city to tackle weeds on paved surfaces, and combat invasive species within Oxford.
The decision follows a review into the Council’s use of glyphosate, which was carried out this year.
What is Glyphosate?
Glyphosate is a commonly available herbicide that is licenced for use in the UK by Government. It is the active ingredient in many weed killers, such as Roundup.
The Council’s wholly-owned direct services company, ODS, uses glyphosate selectively to control weeds on highways, streets and other paved areas. It is used to help protect hard paved areas which can be damaged by weeds growing up through cracks.
Glyphosate is also the only effective treatment to tackle invasive species such as Himalayan Balsam and Japanese Knotweed, in line with current DEFRA and Environment Agency guidance.
Because of this, glyphosate is the preferred weed treatment for many councils across the country.
How is Glyphosate used in Oxford?
In Oxford, glyphosate is used in a limited and carefully controlled way, in order to minimise any impact on biodiversity and the environment.
ODS uses glyphosate three times a year between April – September. As a treatment, it is only used on the back edges and kerbs of footpaths and tennis courts, car parking and garage areas and other paved areas where there is weed penetration of these surfaces.
Glyphosate is not used in parks and open spaces (except for park tennis courts) – including on trees and grass verges. It has not been used in any of Oxford’s parks and green spaces at any point in the past decade.
When it is used, ODS follows best practice in accordance with Government regulations. This includes applying the treatment directly onto individual weeds rather than spraying across a general area, ensuring staff are trained and wearing appropriate PPE, and not applying glyphosate during windy conditions when the herbicide could impact other surrounding plants.
Glyphosate review
In August 2023, the Council conducted a review into the use of glyphosate in Oxford. The review examined the cost and effectiveness of alternative weed treatments being trialled in some other council areas across the UK.
The review found that significant care was already being taken in the way glyphosate is used across Oxford by the Council.
The review also found that the current controlled use of glyphosate was more cost-effective and efficient than alternative weed treatments such as hot water, hot foam, acetic acid, and manual weed control. It was especially effective in controlling invasive species like Japanese Knotweed that can negatively impact biodiversity and cause environmental harm.
Therefore, officers are recommending the Council continues its targeted use of glyphosate across the city.
However, this approach will be reviewed in response to any changes in national government advice, or if another viable, economic and effective treatment emerges.
Next steps
The continuation of the limited approach to glyphosate will be discussed at the Council’s Scrutiny panel on Monday 4 December, and Cabinet on 13 December.
“After carrying out a thorough review of glyphosate usage in Oxford, we have decided to maintain our current approach throughout the entire city.
“We have not yet found an efficient and cost effective alternative that can guarantee effective weed control, despite exploring several avenues and experiences of other councils across the country. In particular, the uncontrolled spread of invasive species, such as Japanese Knotweed, poses a significant environmental risk which we cannot ignore. Until a viable and efficient alternative is discovered, we propose to continue the limited and carefully controlled use of glyphosate.”
Councillor Nigel Chapman, Cabinet Members for Citizen Focused Services and Council Companies
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