CONCERNS have been raised about the use of a controversial gardening chemical in parks and green spaces across East Renfrewshire.

The strong chemical Glyphosate is used to spray the boundaries of open green spaces and children’s playparks and has been classed as “probably carcinogenic” by a leading cancer agency.

A Barrhead councillor has now questioned the council’s decision to use the weedkiller after it was banned by other local authorities across the UK due to health and

environmental concerns.

Glyphosate was declared “probably carcinogenic to humans” by the World Health Organisation’s cancer agency, International Agency for Research on Cancer, in 2015.

Paul Aitken has now called for East Renfrewshire to follow Edinburgh City, which is just one of the councils

that have put a stop to the practice.

The Independent councillor said: “East Renfrewshire Council’s parks department has confirmed the product sprayed on the boundaries of open green spaces and kids’ playparks is Barclay Gallup Hi-Aktiv and that the active ingredient in this product is Glyphosate.

“There are local authorities across the UK that have completely phased out the use of Glyphosate due to health and environmental concerns.

“While I appreciate the chemical is currently legal, do we really want to take a chance with children’s health? Isn’t the ‘scorched earth’result of using Glyphosate an eyesore?

“Councillor (David) Macdonald and myself hope to build a case to have Glyphosate phased out within the parks of East Renfrewshire. We believe this is in the best interests of public health and the environment.”

The pair are asking the council to adopt alternatives to Glyphosate, such as

edging and trimming. The

Glyphosate-based spray appears to have been used in Cowan Park, as well as other public areas in Barrhead and East Renfrewshire.

A council spokesman said: “The treatment used in our parks to maintain the edges of grassed areas uses a non-hazardous spray that targets the roots of plants.

“It is not harmful to humans, animals or insects and provides an effective way of maintaining these large areas.”