Susan has been leading a charge to have council cease its use of Round-up in favour of bioweed, an organic pesticide.

Her concerted campaign, in tandem with a number of shire environment groups, has seen council trial bioweed alongside current weed control methods, and after two months, the results are in.

According to the council’s manager for sustainable environment and waste the report’s author, Daan Schiebaan, bioweed has its place but is not appropriate for all vegetation and is more expensive in application.

“Considering the council bioweed trial results and cost comparison of vegetation management products, as well as the feedback provided by Bellinger Landcare, it is not appropriate to recommend the use of bioweed for the use of all vegetation management activities in place of the herbicides currently used, including approved products with the active ingredient glyphosate,” Daan said.

“Further, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) advise that based on current risk assessment the label instructions on all glyphosate products, when followed, provides adequate protection.

“However, in consideration of the concern expressed by some community members regarding the use of glyphosate in the Bellingen Shire, it is recommended that council considers bioweed in controlling weeds where and when appropriate and as budget allows.

“In particular, this may include for the maintenance of grass and broad leaf weeds on local roadsides, pathways and reserves in urban township environments.”

For Susan, though she’s somewhat happy bioweed continues to be in the council’s weed management tool-box, the overarching imperative has not been addressed.

“Round-up’s main ingredient was recently classified as probably carcinogenic to humans by the World Health Organisation,” Susan said.

“The fact that council still continues to use glyphosate despite what is happening globally is because they are relying solely on the APVMA recommendations who maintain that it’s safe to use if the users follow the label applications instructions on the bottle.

“I questioned how council could take this stance when countries around the world are banning this product. I did not receive a response to that and so despite all the international evidence council will not remove it at this time while it remains on the pesticides list of allowable pesticides.”

The worldwide March Against Monsanto began in 2013 by the Occupy movement and has become an annual event. This year’s protest highlighted a number of concerns ranging from the affect of chemicals on the declining bee population to a “homage to the existing and future victims poisoned by pesticides”.

Details of the bioweed trial and information on council’s weed management practice and pesticide use can be found on council’s website: www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au