Ban Dangerous Pesticides in Manchester

Herbicide spraying around the Anson Estate without any warning to residents (other than notices on the tractor today). However not many children about and as it wasn't too sunny not many people with their dogs getting sprayed!

Just like last year, local supermarkets are still selling Glyphosate with NO advice about the need for protective clothing. Also it looks as if Glyphosate is still used in local parks- it looks like they've been spraying in Birchfields S. Manchester.

We've had a pause, but spring is here and Glyphosate coming back onto the shelves locally. Let's revivify the campaign and get Manchester City Council to stop looking the other way! Get a friend to sign up as well.

Things seem quiet - a round robin letter was delivered to the Town Hall for Cllrs. Nigel Murphy (Exec. for Public Spaces) and Rosa Battle (Acting exec. for Environment whilst Kate Chappell is on maternity leave) nearly a fortnight ago. As yet no response has been received.

It was similar to the one signed by people at Envirolution a couple of months ago was signed by about 20 people in Levenshulme.

PAN-UK tell me that they haven't yet formally invited our councillors, but neither have the councillors taken up the informal invitation they've been advised of. S:(

Although subvertising in local supermarkets may have hastened its being taken off the shelf, this may also be due to seasonal changes to "Back to School" stock. https://www.facebook.com/GlobalJusticeManchester/photos/a.411844942201081.108562.236080686444175/1182268235158744/?type=3&theater

The EU vote doesn't solve the problem (see https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jun/29/controversial-chemical-roundup-weedkiller-escapes-immediate-ban ) so we need to keep on pushing and will be sending another letter like the "Envirolution Letter" (see below) to Nigel Murphy reminding him of the offer of free advice.

So let's go "Back to School" and get someone else to sign this to keep giving the Council a mandate.

Cllrs. Nigel Murphy (MCC Exec for Neighbourhoods), Kate Chappell (MCC Exec for Environment) and John Leech (LD Opposit. member of the Neighbourhoods and Environ. Scrutiny Comm.) have been invited to a free workshop/seminar on alternatives to glyphosate and other toxic pesticides. It's provided by Pesticides Action Network UK in Brighton and should take place 17/18th. Nov. Let's hope they take up the invitation to benefit from PAN-UK's experience and expertise.

Cllr. John Leech (the only LD opposition member on MCC) raised the question at a full council meeting on Weds. 13th. No direct ref. made to this petition but indiv. letters seem to be pricking consciences. You can see the question and responses on http://manchester.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/234121 from about 02:11:25.

We'll be preparing a PR to local print media.

We collected over 60 additional signatures on big round-robin letters to the council and a local supermarket that stocks G. on Saturday at Envirolution. Let's keep prodding!

This is really taking off! You might like to email your Manch. councillor on the subject so that they are aware of your personal concerns. You could use https://www.writetothem.com/

For an apparently impressive collection of worrying research reports see those linked on http://www.collective-evolution.com/2016/01/22/lobbyist-says-monsantos-roundup-is-safe-to-drink-when-offered-a-glass-he-freaks-out/

Bad weather precluded gaining signatures on a protest letter on Sat. so we made a vid. instead.
https://www.facebook.com/GlobalJusticeManchester/videos/1142497079135860/