A GARDENER from Witney is campaigning against a housing association’s use of a weedkiller after health officials ruled it could cause cancer.

Richard MacKenzie is calling for an all-out halt on the use of glyphosate, found in many household weedkillers, by Cottsway Housing Association in public areas.

He has launched a petition against usage by the association, which has 4,000 homes in West Oxfordshire, a quarter of which are in Witney, and has already amassed more than 500 signatures.

The World Health Organisation's International Agency for Research on Cancer last year said glyphosate was "classified as probably carcinogenic to humans", although the Government has said the level of risk is not classed as unacceptable.

Cottsway confirmed it still uses the chemical on the gardens it manages, although said it now uses the substance sparingly.

But Mr MacKenzie said: “I have noticed that glyphosate was being used by Cottsway for some time.

“Since WHO categorised it as a probable carcinogen I have been asking them to stop using it as they could be putting our children and other residents within our community at risk.

“I think that this request is more than acceptable until glyphosates safety can be proven safe.”

The 36-year-old lives in Manor Road with his wife, Jackie, six-year-old son Bobby and new-born daughter Fleur.

He continued: “My son likes to play under trees in the park. Imagine my horror when I realised glyphosate had been used in the public area he and his friends play in.

“There are many questions about glyphosate's safety and various studies have highlighted many concerns.

“While glyphosate's safety is in question, we politely and with respect ask that Cottsway Housing Association stops using immediately.”

Spokeswoman for Cottsway, Dee Hempsted said: “Our contractors do use Glyphosate to control weeds in some areas.

“They use it sparingly, under strict conditions and in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines regarding health and safety.

“We are aware of some concerns and are keeping the use of glyphosate under review following recent reports from the World Health Organisation and the United Nations health, agriculture and food experts.”

Elsewhere in the region, Witney Town Council has confirmed it does not use the substance but West Oxfordshire District does continue to an “environmentally friendly product" which does contain glyphosate as an active ingredient.

A spokesman for Defra, the Government department responsible for the environment, said: “We recognise the importance of effective pesticides. The experts who reviewed the scientific evidence advised that glyphosate does not pose an unacceptable risk to human health.

"The government is therefore pleased that glyphosate remains approved for use.”

There is growing momentum across the county against the use of the product. A petition in Oxford last year against its use gathered 1,000 signatures while a motion will calling on a ban will be put to the city council by the Green party tomorrow.

To sign Mr MacKenzie's petition visit http://bit.ly/2czUZNO