A ‘dangerous’ herbicide banned in seven countries is still being used by Monmouthshire County Council in public spaces, it has emerged.

Local environmental campaigners criticised MCC after it emerged the powerful chemical glyphosate - which has been linked to cancer - is being used in parks, school playing fields and grass verges.

The agent, used primarily to kill weeds, has been banned in several countries, and its use prohibited by a number of city and town councils across the UK, including Bristol.

A recent scientific study by the World Health Organisation concluded that glyphosate was ‘probably carcinogenic’, echoing opposition fears the chemical could cause cancer.

Seven EU states have banned the herbicide, two more have restricted use, alongside four more countries mooting bans or restrictions.

The chemical, found in popular weedkiller ‘Roundup’, earned a last-minute reprieve after the European Commission granted an 18-month extension in June this year. The weedkiller was just hours from being pulled from shops Europe-wide.

A new ruling on its safety is expected by the end of 2017.

Catherine Fookes, campaigner manager for the Organic Trade Board, has lived in Monmouthshire for 15 years. She called on the council to become a pesticide-free zone.

“Around Abergavenny and Monmouthshire, the main use of pesticides is for farming.

“The second, in any given area, is always the amenities - spraying streets, parks and pavements. They will also be spraying children’s play areas and school fields.

“The key thing for Monmouthshire County Council is: if they decided to become pesticide-free, they could actually save themselves a lot of money. ??

“What I’d like to see happen is to use other ways and alternatives. We could use hot water or flame treatments, for example, or a new foam which is being used around the world.

“Brighton has become a pesticide-free zone. Bristol are looking at doing so, and the Hackney borough of London, too.

“We’d like to push Monmouthshire to do the same. There are concerns regarding health, and the cost of using pesticides.

“MCC does some fantastic stuff. The Bee Friendly Monmouthshire initiative, for example, and their efforts with recycling shows that. Why undermine all the great work by spraying these pesticides everywhere?,” she said.

Glyphosate is one of the world’s most widely used herbicides. More than 6bn tonnes has been sprayed over farms, gardens and public spaces in the last ten years.

Back and forth rows over the safety of glyphosate has divided scientists, governments and related organisations.

A joint-study by the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation and the WHO, earlier this year, flatly rejected a previous study which declared glyphosate was likely to cause cancer in humans, saying it was ‘unlikely to pose a risk’.

Chris Phillips, director of Complete Weed Control, runs a firm which uses the herbicide on a daily basis.

“This sounds like scaremongering, I think. It’s a bit broad. These chemicals are used by local authorities across South Wales.

“They are perfectly safe and legal.

“They are subject to strict regulations. Only trained personnel can buy and use them. All hoping to do so must have the correct licence requirements.

“There are massive amounts of regulation involved, along with a lot of health and safety rules that must be met. You cannot buy or use it without the proper certificates. It’s perfectly safe and legal.

“You can only use it for spot treatments, as that what works. There really isn’t a viable alternative. You could use vinegar-based products, but you have to use so much, it ends up costing far far more.”

“Bristol Council have stopped using glyphosate, but I don’t think it’s for the reasons suggested. ?

“Most of it is used for GM crops, not just for jobs like those mentioned.”

Nick Mole, policy officer at Pesticide Action Network UK, said, “Our view on all pesticides is that there is no place for them. Especially those being used in public spaces, given the dangers they represent."A spokesman for MCC, said, "The council uses Glysophate as a contact translocated herbicide to eradicate weeds on hard surfaces, including the vast majority of roads and footways within Monmouthshire which are sub-contracted to an external environmental company. "The grounds maintenance section utilises Glysophate to eradicate weeds on its external contracts and also along mowing margins. "At present, there are no restrictions on the use of Glysophate. The European Union Agency for Chemical Products has renewed the licence permitting the use of Glysophate for another 18 month period."