The LA County Board of Supervisors on May 21 unanimously voted, 4-0, to permanently ban the use of glyphosate-based products—also known as Roundup—by county personnel in order to protect public health. Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas was absent at the time.
The vote bans use of the herbicides by all county departments on county property. The board and its staff will work with experts and the community to “find alternatives to this poisonous herbicide,” as detailed in a newsletter from the office of Third District Supervisor Sheila Kuehl.
The permanent ban follows the board’s vote on March 12 to put a moratorium on the use of the herbicide glyphosate by county departments pending further study.
The motion was put forth by Supervisors Kuehl and Kathryn Barger.
In the newsletter, Kuehl said, “Glyphosate is a highly toxic chemical that has been linked to cancer and can poison waterways. This motion takes a significant step toward protecting county employees and public health.”
County-managed property in Malibu includes beaches, Waterworks District 29 facilities and the Malibu Public Library and former county courthouse complex, including the site of the new Santa Monica College satellite campus.
The county is seeking public comment on alternatives to glyphosate: “We value your input on alternative measures and products to Glyphosate for weed abatement and vegetation management.” It asked residents with suggestions to share them to the Department of Public Works at dpw.lacounty.gov/glyphosate/.