A CANCER causing chemical is being sprayed in parks the city to control weeds.

Brighton and Hove City Council are using the weedkiller glyphosate, which was found in a World Health Organisation report to cause cancer in animals and “probably” cause cancer in humans.

When asked why the council was still using the chemicals, it replied that alternatives were not “cost effective”.

Green councillor Tom Druitt, who has been pushing the council to drop the pesticide for two years, said: “By using a poisoning our open spaces we are potentially poisoning our residents.

“That’s simply not acceptable for a council to do.

“In the past they could say they didn’t known about its effects but they do now, so saying they have no money is poor excuse.”

In August, the company that makes the weedkiller, Monsanto, was ordered to pay £226 million to an American grounds keeper after a jury found the chemical had caused his cancer.

Cllr Druitt added: “It is being used in a lot of parks and verges.

“There are lots of children and toddlers playing in grass verges and parks which have been treated.

“It’s pretty horrendous,”

Glyphosate is the world’s most common weedkiller.

The science surrounding the chemical is not conclusive and the European Food Safety Authority, along with other scientific bodies, found no link to cancer in humans.

In November last year, the product was given a new five-year lease in European Union countries despite fierce opposition from environmental activists.

Farmers argued banning the chemical would cut crop yields by more than ten per cent.

Caroline Lucas, the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, raised her significant concerns over its use and wants action taken to curb its use.

She said: “It’s something that Green councillors called for in a Notice of Motion back in 2016.

That was passed by the Environment, Transport, and Sustainability Committee.

“Despite this, glyphosate is still being used.

“I’m pushing for alternatives to be looked at with greater urgency.

“I have written to Councillor Gill Mitchell, chairwoman of the Environment, Transport, and Sustainability Committee at Brighton and Hove City Council to reiterate my position on this.

“With ever growing concerns being raised about its use, I’m arguing that Brighton and Hove City Council should actively explore using non-chemical alternatives ad take action as soon as possible.”

Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: “We can confirm that we currently use glyphosate in some of our operations.

“Where practicable, we prefer to use alternative methods such as mulching around trees and in parks and shrub beds.

“In all cases we comply with the national Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002.”