Green Party councillors say 20 Glyphosate free streets in Sheffield is not enough

Campaigners say said spraying toxic Glyphosate is incompatible with the 'nature emergency' Sheffield City Council declared in 2021

Green Party councillors in Sheffield “reluctantly” supported plan to stop harmful weed spraying, saying the council's trial should cover more than 20 streets.

Green councillors joined campaigners at a protest ahead of the meeting where the trial was approved | No Glyphosate Sheffield

placeholder image — Green councillors joined campaigners at a protest ahead of the meeting where the trial was approved | No Glyphosate Sheffield

The 'chemical-free streets' trial, allowing residents to opt out of their street being sprayed with Glyphosate, was approved at a Sheffield City Council Environmental Services and Regulation Policy Committee on November 6.

Glyphosate is a weed killer which campaigners say kills wildlife, harms pets and has been linked to numerous cancers which could put both people and council workers at risk.

Its use has been banned or restricted in three London boroughs, seven other UK councils, European countries and some US states because of its threats to people and wildlife.

A report to the committee explained that Sheffield Council committed to reduce its use in 2020, but has since actually increased use from 3,570 litres in 2021 to 4,865 litres in 2025.

The council claims its use has decreased this year to 1,605 litres so far after a new ‘clean first then spray’ approach.

Tim Birch, a campaigner with No Glyphosate Sheffield, said "there is a building evidence about the human impact" of the chemical | No Glyphosate Sheffield

The 'chemical-free streets' opt out scheme will add to this, seeing residents looking after the street themselves, pulling weeds and sweeping silt and soil from pavements outside their homes.

The council would retain the ‘right to intervene’ if weeds caused trip hazards.

Submissions for the trial can be made for streets until January 31, 2027, which will then be consulted on ahead of weed killing beginning in spring.

But councillors and campaigners said the offer of allowing only 20 streets to opt out of Glyphosate spraying needs to be extended to include all of Sheffield.

The campaign group No Glyphosate Sheffield has already got 33 streets signed up to become chemical-free.

Campaigners had previously taken photos of Glyphosate being "liberally" sprayed on private walls in Sheffield | No Glyphosate Sheffield

Councillor Christine Gilligan Kubo said: “We are one of the most nature deprived countries in the world.

“We need to help people understand that weeds are good for our environment and ultimately good for us."

Coun Gilligan Kubo said at the moment, without a viable alternative, Green Party councillors can accept some spraying of hard surfaces because streets should be safe and pavements should be accessible.

But she said: “We object strongly to spraying around obstacles and soft verges.”

Green Party Councillor, Mustafa Ahmed, said he has seen trees in his Burngreave ward die after being sprayed.

Coun Ahmed said "we need street trees" but some had died in Burngreave after being sprayed with Glyphosate | Mustafa Ahmed

The Greens proposed an amendment on limiting the amount, and avoiding benches and bottoms of trees, but it was not accepted.

Campaigner Tim Birch spoke to the committee and said: “Sheffield Council declared a nature emergency in 2021.

“Allowing the continued spraying of glyphosate is not compatible with any reasonable response to that, because we know spraying glyphosate does kill wildlife."

He urged the council to allow more streets to join the trial because he is in discussion already with nearly 40 streets.

Mr Birch said: "This will only become bigger as the campaign builds across Sheffield.”

He said the concept of weeds is “quite outdated” and that speedwell, dandelions, forget-me-nots were “important plants for pollinators".

Glyphosate has been banned or restricted in three London boroughs, seven other UK councils, European countries and some US states because of its threats to people and wildlife. | No Gylphosate Sheffield

“More nature is going to help address the impacts of the climate crisis," Mr Birch said.

“There is a lot of scientific evidence of the direct mental health benefits of bringing nature back into our streets."

Councillor Mark Rusling, who chairs the committee, said the council had to balance the many complaints of weeds on streets with less complaints of weed killer use.

He said: “People have different views about what makes a beautiful street.”

No Glyphosate campaigners say their fight is growing to stop use of the chemical across the city | No Glyphosate Sheffield

However, Mr Birch said lack of information is a problem, as residents may not know Glyphosate’s harms.

Coun Gilligan Kubo confirmed that because there were no other options and she did want the trial to go ahead, Green Party councillors would vote in favour but would do so “reluctantly”.

Nationally, the approval of Glyphosate in Great Britain runs until December 15 and renewal is being assessed by the Health and Safety Executive.

Submissions for 'chemical-free streets' can be made to [email protected].