To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether Roundup, or a glyphosate-based weed killer, is used by his Department in the spraying of roadside verges.

Chemical control of weeds by my Department is generally carried out on kerbed and paved areas by external contractors using herbicide products suitable for use on hard surfaces and listed on the Pesticides Register of UK Authorised Products, which can be viewed on the Health and Safety Executive website.

I understand that Glyphosate-based products are currently used by my Department and external contractors on hard surfaces for the control of weeds to ensure road safety, to prevent structural damage to infrastructure assets, for watercourse maintenance and to fulfil legislative requirements on the control of noxious weeds and invasive species.

Spraying of highway surfaces / edges is carried out by trained personnel in accordance with advice from manufacturers and the Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs, using the minimum treatment necessary to achieve the required results.