EU parliament supports glyphosate re-authorisation

This vote follows intense lobbying by the UFU and other UK and EU farming unions, who joined forces to fight off attempts by campaigners to prevent re-authorisation.

“This is the world’s most widely used herbicide, and the recent positive safety report issued by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), mean re-authorisation is both justified and essential”, said Mr Marshall.

He added that while the vote is non-binding, it sends a clear signal to the Commission that glyphosate must remain in the plant protection toolbox of farmers for many years to come.

With the decision now in the hands of the European Commission and member states, the UFU says they need to follow science by re-authorising glyphosate for all current uses.

“It is important that this herbicide remains as widely available to the industry as it is now,” stressed Mr Marshall.