WIRRAL Council is looking to reduce use of a weed killer linked to cancer after a second landmark US court ruling – but hasn't promised to scrap it altogether.

The authority has said it will "seek to minimise the use" of glyphosate herbicides after US manufacturer Monsanto was ordered to pay out a total of almost $160m in two separate cases where its product Round Up was alleged to have links to cancer.

Round Up has already been banned by some local authorities across the country.

Most recently, a US federal jury in California ruled that using the herbicide was a "substantial factor" in Edwin Hardeman’s cancer, after he used it for nearly 30 years prior to his diagnosis.

The US company was ordered to pay $80m in damages.

That followed a similar ruling in August, which ultimately saw Monsanto pay out $79m in damages to groundskeeper Dewayne Johnson after ruling Round Up had contributed "substantially" to his terminal cancer.

A third US trial against Monsanto involving glyphosate began in Oakland last month.

Wirral's sole Green Party councillor, Pat Cleary, said he was "deeply concerned" the council continued to use "such chemicals on our streets and beaches when [they] have been banned in so many other countries and cities around the world due to health concerns".

It was reported last year that various other councils, including Edinburgh, Brighton and Hove, and the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham have already banned it.

Trafford Council last month committed to "phase out" use of pesticides and weed killers over the next year, only using it on the strongest weeds.

The French government promised in May last year that glyphosate would be banned "for its main uses" by 2021.

Cllr Cleary said: "Other councils have shown that it is possible to ban glyphosate and use alternative methods to control weeds. Minimising their use simply isn't good enough.

"Wirral residents should expect their council to prioritise public health and end the use of glyphosates.

"I would also echo calls for the government to ban glyphosate not only because of its impact on public health but also due to the harm it causes to precarious bee populations."

But while the council said it would look to "minimise" use of the herbicide, it said the product was used to treat weeds in a "controlled way", also in line with guidance approved by the Health and Safety Executive.

A council spokeswoman said: "We are currently seeking ways to minimise the use of glyphosate for the future, by researching alternative weed treatments including non-chemical approaches.

"Any alternative treatment will need to be safe for residents and for the environment, while also treating the weeds effectively."

Glyphosate is currently approved by the UK Government until 2022, but evidence for that decision is believed to now be under review.

Monsanto, which is owned by German firm Bayer, is part of the Amenity Forum, a group aimed at promoting support for glyphosate and its safe usage.

The group's chairman, John Moverley, said the forum "would never advocate any practice which is not safe or a danger to public health", adding that chemicals applied professionally remain “very often” the most effective solution.

He said if councils are to stop using the product, they should be aware that "costs will rise significantly" – up to £228m for the UK each year.

He added: "All chemicals used in weed management have to go through extensive testing and authorisation.

"Any product such as Round Up then must be approved for use in the UK again following extensive analysis.

"This process is probably the most comprehensive in the world and certainly greater than for many household products.

"So, it is important to ask the question, why go for a non-chemical approach if it costs more and is not as effective?"

Monsanto and Bayer were also contacted for further comment.