According to its own information, Deutsche Bahn is the largest single buyer of glyphosate in Germany. But that could change: the company wants to use significantly less of the controversial weed killer in the future.
While last 57 tons of glyphosate were sprayed along the tracks, it should be next year, only half as much, said a corporation spokesman for the news agency dpa. "On most parts of the route network, no glyphosate will be applied from 2020," announced Deutsche Bahn. To date, 90 percent of the network has been treated once a year with glyphosate, about 63,000 track-miles. Exceptions are nature reserves and bridges.
Approved in the EU until 2022
Already the train had used less glyphosate. While it was still 67 tonnes in 2017, the amount fell in 2018 because of the drought. According to the annual report, it was about one kilogram per track kilometer. However, the glyphosate used by the railway accounts for only 0.4 percent of the total. Farmers and gardeners use the remedy in a much larger style. Glyphosate is authorized in the EU until 2022.
The WHO cancer research agency IARC had classified the weed killer 2015 as "probably carcinogenic" for humans. The manufacturer, the Bayer subsidiary Monsanto, contradicts that. When used according to the instructions, the products are harmless. At the same time, the pharmaceutical and agrochemicals group is also looking for alternative methods of weed control.
Instead of using glyphosate, we at Deutsche Bahn want to remove more weeds manually in order to keep the rails clear. The company also develops other alternative methods itself. For example, it tests whether the weeds can be removed with hot water, electricity or UV light. It has also been experimented with superheated steam, microwaves and high frequency energy - but these methods proved to be very time consuming and energy consuming.