East Lothian Council has been using a toxic spray on paths and verges which is banned in some European countries and US states, an investigation by the East Lothian branch of the Scottish Green Party has revealed.

Council officials have confirmed that council workers have been using Roundup ProVantage at sites across the county. The spray contains glyphosate, which can kill birds, bees, worms and fish. The same spray has been implicated in a massive lawsuit which connects cases of cancer to use of the chemical.

The “safety sheet” provided to the Council by the manufacturer, Monsanto, admits the chemical shows toxicity to bees and acute toxicity towards fish and birds. It was also found to be an irritant to some animals with symptoms taking up to 5 days to clear.

There are specific warnings not to let the chemical contaminate waterways, and yet pictures from around the county show it being used next to rivers and coastal areas.

It has even been reportedly used next to a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest in North Berwick. Spraying chemicals in a way that endangers an SSSI may be illegal without the permission of Scottish Natural Heritage.

Sign the petition to tell East Lothian Council to stop using toxic chemicals that damage biodiversity and endanger human health!