1) Which glyphosate-based herbicides[1] are currently used by or on behalf of the Council and/ or on land owned by, managed by, or under the control of, the Council?
The Parks Service do not use any glyphosate-based herbicides.
2) For the most recent 12-month period for which information is available, please could you tell me the amount and brand of each glyphosate-based herbicide in question, as well as the size of the area over which they were used.
Zero.
3) Please could you explain the basis for (i) the Council's choice of particular products, and (ii) the Council's decision to use glyphosate-based herbicides rather than alternative methods. Please could you provide me with copies of any policy or other document which informs that decision-making.
There is no officially policy on how products are chosen but these are based industry best practice and best value for money. Link to our Integrated Pest Management Policy can be found here: Integrated pest management policy | Lambeth Council
4) I understand that, if the Council uses, or instructs others to use, plant protection products (including glyphosate-based herbicides) then the Council is required by law[2] to ensure that[3]:
* all reasonable precautions are taken to protect human health and the environment;
* the application of the plant protection product is confined to the crop, land, produce, buildings, contents of buildings, materials or other areas intended to be treated;
* and when the product is used in places of heightened concern (which includes, among others, areas used by the public or vulnerable groups[4], areas in the close vicinity of healthcare facilities, and on or along roads, railway lines, very permeable surfaces, or other infrastructure close to surface water or groundwater) that the amount used and the frequency of use are as low as reasonably practicable.
5) Please explain how the Council ensures that it complies with the requirements set out above in paragraph 4, particularly in terms of operational decision-making by the Council?
All staff are suitably trained and competent to carry out chemical application using approved chemicals and equipment. The service’s Integrated Pest Management Policy is followed. We avoid spraying where invasive weeds like Japanese Knotweed possible and use stem injection on.
6) Please provide me with copies of any policy or other document which informs the Council's decision-making in relation to compliance with the legal requirements set out in paragraph 4 above. Please also provide copies of evidence of the Council's decision-making over the past 12 months relating to the records of decisions taken to ensure the amount of plant protection products used and the frequency of use are as low as reasonably practicable.
Refer to the service’s Integrated Pest Management Policy and the attached chemical data sheets for the two products currently used by our service. When using chemicals we comply with the relevant legislation (the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health).