HOW appropriate that the poppy areas around town commemorating the First World War, the first chemical warfare war, were planted on a basis of an organophosphate legacy, the golden rectangles saying “glyphosate”.

These were a reminder that we are still subject to a daily chemical warfare assault. This year’s agricultural fungicides are “harmful to humans, harmful to the environment, harmful by contact and can cause serious eye damage,” says the first few coded warnings in the 2005 UK Pesticide Guide.

Glyphosate herbicide, now with us constantly when used by farmers, gardeners, councils, landscapers and building sites, now in our water supply and recently found in breads and candy bars, can cause birth defects at the level of food residues.

I believe the information about its dangers have been concealed by the EU Commission since the early 1980s. Its users are still brainwashed into believing it to be safe.

It is used even on the eating area in front of the guildhall. (No warnings needed, and the golden colour appears too late to be useful).

When I recently asked the Chemical Regulatory Directory about spraying eating areas they said, “What’s glyphosate?”

When asked, they apparently had not heard of any of the recent reports and studies, but it is of course their job to keep the lid on, and to protect industry, not us.

I have given the Advertiser copies of the 500 odd warnings about glyphosate listed in the guide. Safe?

Miss Margaret J Reichlin MacCullum Road, Upper Enham