PROPOSALS are set to be put forward calling on a council to stop using a weedkiller which has been linked to cancer.

There are growing calls for Wrexham Council to put an end to spraying Roundup in the county after a landmark US court case saw owners Monsanto asked to pay £226m to a man who claimed it was one of the products which caused his cancer.

It comes as four other north Wales local authorities have revealed that they also use glyphosate-based herbicides to tackle weeds, although both Anglesey and Gwynedd say they spray 'clean label' products which have no hazard rating.

The World Health Organisation has previously said that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic” to humans, but Monsanto denies the claim and intends to appeal the ruling.

Wrexham is currently the only authority that specifically uses Roundup in the region and said it is authorised by the European Union.

But Cartrefle councillor Ronnie Prince, who first raised concerns about it in July 2017, said he will be requesting it to switch to a chemical free alternative.

He said: "Over 12 months ago I raised serious health and safety concerns over the use of glyphosate based herbicides by Wrexham Council.

"After researching this product I discovered that there was a world wide raging controversy over its safety and that many experts around the world were claiming it's a serious health concern to humans.

"I called for a moratorium over its use until proven safe or otherwise and also a health and safety investigation over excessive use in my ward and others. l was denied both.

"Due to these latest developments I will be again asking that Wrexham Council change over to a chemical free alternative that poses no risk to people, pets or the environment."

In February the issue was considered by members of the council's homes and environment scrutiny committee after the authority admitted to 'over applying' the product last summer.

Councillors agreed to support the European Union Sustainable Use Directive to minimise its use in places such as schools and playgrounds. However, they stopped short of banning it outright.

Following Saturday's court case Wrexham Council's lead member for environment, Cllr David A Bithell, said the use of glyphosate-based weed killers was authorised by the European Union, UK Government and the Health and Safety Executive.

He added that an update would be provided to councillors on staff training regarding the use of the weedkiller at a future meeting.

Conwy Council said it does not use Roundup, but does use another weedkiller containing glyphosate.

A spokesperson said: "Whilst glyphosate is a licensed product we are not actively looking at employing alternative methods for weed control."

Flintshire Council confirmed that both its staff and contractors use glyphosate-based herbicide when treating weeds across the county and said it would 'continue to review' the use of the product Meanwhile, both Gwynedd and Anglesey said they use a clean label glyphosate.

A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: "As is the case for any organisation or company that operate ground maintenance work, we will continue to monitor and adhere to any changes in the regulated use of any herbicides."

Denbighshire Council has not responded to a request for comment at the time of publishing.