Use of NON-Glyphosate Weed Control Products, Methods, Efficacy and Viability
Case reference EIR2026/02196
Received 14 September 2026
Published 12 October 2026
Request
I am writing to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000/Environmental Information Regulations about the use of NON-glyphosate weed control products and methods, their efficacy and viability for use in local authority settings. The queries are as follows:
1. Do you or your contractors currently use any of the following NON-glyphosate-based weed control measures?
Manual Weeding
Mechanical weeding
Mulching
Cultural control Vinegar/ acetic acid
Hot foam Non-glyphosate chemical products (please name)
Pelargonic acid
Hot lances/ weed guns (using flame)
Weed barriers/ membranes
Hot water
Electricity Steam
Letting weeds grow
Other (please name)
2. For the same list, please identify which, if any, products you or your contractors have considered or trialled, but REJECTED giving the reasons why in each case.
Manual Weeding
Mechanical weeding
Mulching Cultural control Vinegar/ acetic acid
Hot foam
Non-glyphosate chemical products (please name)
Pelargonic acid Hot lances/ weed guns (using flame)
Weed barriers/ membranes
Hot water
Electricity Steam
Letting weeds grow
Other (please name)
Response
I am writing to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000/Environmental Information Regulations about the use of NON-glyphosate weed control products and methods, their efficacy and viability for use in local authority settings.
The queries are as follows:
1. Do you or your contractors currently use any of the following NON-glyphosate-based weed control measures?
Manual Weeding
Answer: The service area has advised that in rare cases this is done by Locality Steward if they wish when enquiry/job levels are low. This is not in the HMP to be done.
Mechanical weeding
Answer: No.
Mulching
Answer: No.
Cultural control
Answer: No.
Vinegar/ acetic acid
Answer: No.
Hot foam
Answer: No.
Non-glyphosate chemical products (please name)
Answer: No.
Pelargonic acid
Answer: No.
Hot lances/ weed guns (using flame)
Answer: No.
Weed barriers/ membranes
Answer: No.
Hot water
Answer: No.
Electricity
Answer: No.
Steam
Answer: No.
Letting weeds grow
Answer: Yes.
Other (please name)
Answer: The service area has advised that Weed killer is only used for Noxious Weeds and moss removal only. The brand that is used is "Roundup". Roundup is a systemic, glyphosate-based herbicide designed to kill unwanted annual and perennial weeds down to the root.
2. For the same list, please identify which, if any, products you or your contractors have considered or trialled, but REJECTED giving the reasons why in each case.
Manual Weeding
Mechanical weeding
Mulching
Cultural control
Vinegar/ acetic acid
Hot foam
Non-glyphosate chemical products (please name)
Pelargonic acid
Hot lances/ weed guns (using flame)
Weed barriers/ membranes
Hot water
Electricity
Steam
Letting weeds grow
Other (please name)
Answer: None.
Documents
This is Herefordshire Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
You can browse our other responses or make a new FOI request.