COUNCILS in the Black Country have said they will continue to use a weed killer after an American court ruled it 'causes cancer'.

Sandwell and Dudley councils both use glyphosate in its parks and green spaces but there are concerns the chemical could be harmful.

It hit the headlines after a Californian cancer patient received £226m in damages from Monsanto after claiming he got the disease from using Round Up, a weed killer that contains the chemical.

However the company has denied the product causes cancer and has said it will appeal against the ruling.

Dudley Council has said it uses glyphosate on highway verges and it relies on advice from government agencies when choosing chemicals.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for environmental services, said: “We know that maintaining our green spaces and keeping our roads and pavements clear of weeds and obstructions is important to our residents.

"As part of our weed control programme, when required, we do use products that contain glyphosate, a product which is approved for use in the UK and EU.

“However, we will continue to monitor the situation and review any advice issued by the Health and Safety Executive and/or the government, and will act accordingly.”

Councillor Bill Gavan, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for leisure, added: “We only use very small amounts of products containing glyphosate in our parks and green spaces.

"No guidance has been issued in the UK regarding any change in how they are used.

“Weedkillers are used strictly in line with the manufacturer’s safety information and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health assessments.

" Staff who use these products are issued with personal protective equipment and have received training on their safe use.

“We have no current plans to stop using them – we will of course comply with any guidance given by the Health and Safety Executive, Environment Agency and DEFRA regarding their use.”

The Risk Assessment Committee of the European Chemicals Agency concluded in March 2015 that there is no evidence to link glyphosate to cancer in humans, based on available information.