A CHEMICAL which is alleged to have links to cancer will continue to be used on open spaces and highways in Dudley while council bosses await the outcome of a legal case in America.

Councillors have accepted a recommendation to continue using glyphosate in the control of weeds despite fears by environmentalists and health campaigners.

Environmental services bosses had said the chemical – which is sold to the public under the band name Roundup – is the most cost effective way of dealing with unwanted plants and grasses.

But council chiefs emphasise the decision hasn’t just been taken on the basis of price. 

Members of the authority’s Place Scrutiny Committee have also agreed to reduce its use as much as possible.

A report to the committee said the link to cancer was being contested by the chemical’s manufacturer, Monsanto, and whilst there were conflicting reports between it and non-hodgkins lymphoma both the European Union and the Chemical Regulation Directorate have authorised its use for the foreseeable future. 

Dudley spends £35,000 a year on the weed killer which costs 22 pence to treat 100 square metres compared to its cheapest rival at £3.50 to cover the same area.

Cllr Matt Rogers, chair of the committee, said councillors agreed to continue with the chemical saying specialist training and protective clothing provided to staff reduced the risk to employees while the council awaited the outcome of the legal case.

He added: “Our use of it is probably a lot safer than that by the general public, it is very carefully used in a very selective way.

“We would like to reassure residents that this isn’t purely a cost based decision although it is significantly cheaper than other products.”

He added council officers would continue reviewing its use and encourage controlling weeds in open spaces with hand tools by volunteer bodies such as friends of the parks and wildlife groups.