The time for good ecological resolutions has come for SNCF.

The network confirmed on Tuesday that it "will no longer use glyphosate in 2022, in accordance with its commitments".

A hell of a decision for SNCF, the largest user of glyphosate in France.

She consumed 35 to 38 tonnes of this pesticide per year to weed her tracks.

"We are working on alternative treatment solutions, as well as their terms of use, with a view to the next treatment period" in the spring, indicated Matthieu Chabanel, deputy general manager in charge of projects, maintenance, and operation of the public railway operator.

A new, more expensive product and mowing

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.

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 tracks and tracks, but not on their surroundings, which will have to be mowed, in accordance with the recent Egalim law.

The additional maintenance cost is estimated by the public group at around one hundred million euros per year, an amount currently covered by the government stimulus plan.

Why weed the train tracks?

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.

Planet

Agriculture: Coming into force of the tax credit for phasing out glyphosate

Justice

Roundup: Bayer loses appeal to couple accusing their weedkiller of giving them cancer

  • ecology

  • Train

  • Pesticides

  • SNCF

  • Pollution

  • Glyphosate

  • Planet

  • 0 comment

  • 0 share

    • Share on Messenger

    • Share on Facebook

    • Share on twitter

    • Share on Flipboard

    • Share on Pinterest

    • Share on Linkedin

    • Send by Mail

  • To safeguard

  • A fault ?

  • To print