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SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 12, 2022

MOTION NO. 11

MOTION: Councillor Alan Edge

That the Executive examine the feasibility of using sheep's wool from local farms as a natural weed barrier in public spaces as an alternative to the continued and wholly unacceptable usage of glyphosate for certain purposes.

REPORT:

Following the adoption of a motion by this Council in 2017 on the matter a ban has been in place on the use of glyphosate based weed killer in public parks, playgrounds and public gardens in the county.  This ban has been implemented since the passing of that motion. 

Glyphosate based weed killer continues to be used to treat weeds on hard surfaces such as on footpaths, paved areas and along roadside edges.  The public realm section currently has no information on this proposal to use sheep's wool as a natural weed barrier and as suggested here the matter can be examined and researched to determine it's likely effectiveness.  The use of a physical weed barrier is an appropriate means of controlling weeds in planted areas such as flower beds or landscaped roundabouts, it is unlikely however that it could be used to control weeds on the extremely large volume of footpaths, paved areas and roadside edges that are currently maintained and treated for weeds by this Council.