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War of words breaks out of controversial weedkiller

The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) cancer arm has announced that best-selling 'Roundup', produced by Monsanto, contains an active ingredient that is "classified as probably carcinogenic to humans"
The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) cancer arm has announced that best-selling 'Roundup', produced by Monsanto, contains an active ingredient that is "classified as probably carcinogenic to humans"

A bitter war of words broke out in the town house yesterday – over the use of a controversial chemical weedkiller.

Glyphosate was banned in many countries across the world, including the Netherlands, France, Mexico and Sri Lanka, after the World Health Organisation (WHO) raised concerns the weedkiller could cause cancer in humans.

And before yesterday’s meeting of Aberdeen City Council, Liberal Democrat group leader Ian Yuill called for officers to investigate the use of the chemical by the local authority.

But council leader Jenny Laing yesterday described Mr Yuill’s request for the preparation of an expensive report “silly”.

Instead she called on the opposition to bring forward plans to find an alternative for the weedkiller – which could cost around ÂŁ540,000 – in their budget next year.

“I would suggest that this is one the Liberal Democrats can do with council officers, without bringing forward a report,” Ms Laing said. “The council has more business to do.”

But Mr Yuill told the chamber: “I’m genuinely disappointed that councillor Laing thinks this is silly when earlier this year the WHO said it was a carcinogenic.

“It’s entirely appropriate for me to ask the council for information on something the WHO says is a known carcinogenic.”

But Ms Laing hit back, clarifying her remarks. She said that it was Mr Yuill’s call for a time-consuming and expensive committee paper, rather than his concern for public health, that was “silly”.

“Let’s not try to score political points against each other by bringing forward ridiculous motions,” Ms Laing said.

“Every member of this council may go to officers to get information about issues pertinent to their constituents.”

Following the heated discussions, councillors voted down Mr Yuill’s calls for a report to be sent to the community, housing and infrastructure committee.

The Liberal Democrats will now have to bring forward their proposals to scrap the chemical as part of the budget process early next year.