The use of Roundup and other glyphosate-based, weed-killing products will no longer be allowed in Encinitas city parks starting next week.

The City Council unanimously approved the ban Wednesday night, and city parks employees estimate they’ll be ready to make the changeover come Monday.

Replacing Roundup and other similar weedkillers with alternative, glyphosate-free substances is expected to cost Encinitas an extra $3,000 to $4,000 a year --- a small amount given the great public health benefits, Councilwoman Lisa Shaffer said.

“Three thousand to $4,000 is nothing,” agreed Councilwoman Catherine Blakespear.


Roundup is often referred to as the world’s most frequently used herbicide, both in agricultural areas and in residential yards. Publicity material from Monsanto, the multinational corporation that produces Roundup, states that when the product is applied correctly according to label directions, it “does not pose an unreasonable risk to human health, the environment or non-target animals and plants.”

Environmental health advocates disagree, contending that glyphosate has been linked to human health problems, including cancer and illnesses involving the central nervous system. Countries including Mexico, Russia and Netherlands recently have banned its use.

In early September, the state of California’s Environmental Protection Agency announced that it was proposing to list the glyphosate as a “substance known to cause cancer.”

At Wednesday night’s council meeting, an Encinitas bee keeper said the city’s proposed ban was great for bees and for people.


“What’s killing our pollinators is killing us too, and I’m absolutely delighted to see this go forward,” said James McDonald, owner of the Encinitas Bee Co.

McDonald, who helped lead the successful campaign earlier this year to eliminate the city’s use of bee-killing, neonicotiniod insecticides, said that banning the use of glyphosate-based products would stop the build-up of toxins in honey and honeycomb, and protect baby bees.

Blakespear mentioned that Glen Park became the city’s first “organic” park earlier this month and asked what will be different between Glen Park and the city’s other parks once the new glyphosate ban begins.

City Parks & Beach Superintendent Jason La Riva responded that Glenn Park is using only products designated as “organic.” The other parks will be able to use weed-killers that don’t have this designation, he said.