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SNCF, the first user of glyphosate in France, confirms its abandonment in 2022

2021-12-28T14:52:15.461Z


The solution adopted to weed the edges of the tracks is more expensive and less efficient, but less harmful to the environment and to human beings.


A heavy user of glyphosate, SNCF confirms its replacement in 2022 by a less effective and more expensive alternative solution.

However, this should allow him to properly weed the tracks.

"SNCF Réseau will no longer use glyphosate in 2022, in accordance with its commitments," said Matthieu Chabanel, deputy general manager in charge of projects, maintenance and operation of the public manager of the railways.

“We are working on alternative treatment solutions and how to use them for the next treatment period” in the spring.

For SNCF Réseau, weeding is a safety requirement: vegetation could retain water and deform the platform (and therefore the rails) of its 30,000 km of lines.

The tufts of grass could also interfere with the laser beams checking the track gauge or interfere with the inspection tours of the railway workers.

As for the runways along the tracks, they must be cleared so that the agents can move quickly and, if necessary, evacuate travelers in the event of a problem.

An additional cost estimated at 100 million euros per year

SNCF was the largest user of glyphosate in France, consuming 35 to 38 tonnes per year, or 0.4% of the total, of this controversial product.

It had committed to no longer use it from the end of 2021, complying with a promise, since abandoned, from President Emmanuel Macron to ban its use by this deadline.

The European Union has so far reauthorized glyphosate until December 2022.

SNCF Réseau will instead use a product composed of more than 95% pelargonic acid, a biocontrol product (using natural products) and a synthetic molecule from the sulfonylurea family, components used as antidiabetics in 'human.

The new solution is less efficient, more expensive, more viscous and requires loading larger volumes, according to SNCF Réseau.

It will only be used on the tracks and tracks, but not on their surroundings, which will have to be mowed, in accordance with the recent Egalim law (for the balance of trade relations in the agricultural and food sector and a healthy, sustainable and sustainable diet). accessible to everyone).

The additional maintenance cost linked to the release of glyphosate and to the Egalim law is estimated by the public group at around one hundred million euros per year, a sum for the moment supported by the government stimulus plan.

Source: leparis

All business articles on 2021-12-28

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