EVIDENCE-LED APPROACH ON GLYPHOSATE URGED

The Amenity Forum has called for an evidence-based approach to the forthcoming GB consultation on glyphosate, warning against what it describes as an increasingly polarised debate around vegetation management.

In a statement issued ahead of the consultation, Amenity Forum chair Ian Graham said discussions should remain "balanced, evidence-based and focused on practical outcomes", with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) continuing to underpin decision-making across the amenity sector.

Responding to renewed public and media attention on glyphosate, Ian acknowledged growing expectations that parks, highways, sports facilities and other public spaces should be managed sustainably. However, he argued that the debate is often oversimplified.

"The debate can sometimes become polarised, framed as a simple choice between chemical and non-chemical approaches," he said. "The reality is far more complex."

Ian stressed that IPM should not be viewed simply as reducing pesticide use, but as a framework for making "evidence-based, site-specific and proportionate decisions" that consider a range of preventative, mechanical, biological and chemical options where appropriate.

He highlighted the progress already being made across the amenity sector, with organisations reducing herbicide use through targeted applications, improved mapping technology, revised maintenance regimes and greater use of preventative maintenance.

The Forum also recognised the growing role of alternative weed control technologies, including hot water, foam, electricity and robotics. However, Graham cautioned that these methods are not yet suitable for every situation.

"The question is therefore not whether a solution is chemical or non-chemical, but which combination of tools delivers the safest, most practical and most sustainable outcome," he said.

Looking ahead to the consultation, Ian emphasised that decisions on glyphosate should continue to be guided by scientific evidence alongside operational realities.

"The Amenity Forum believes future decisions must be informed by robust evidence, practical experience and operational data," he said. "Environmental considerations are critically important, but they must be considered alongside public safety, accessibility, affordability and long-term sustainability."

The Amenity Forum said it intends to engage fully with the consultation process to ensure the amenity sector's practical experience and commitment to Integrated Pest Management are reflected in future policy discussions. The organisation will also explore the issue further during its Annual Conference and Dinner, taking place on 7-8 October in Warwickshire.