Glyphosate is one of the most used and most extensively studied PPPs (plant protection products) in the world.
Over the past 10 years it’s also become one of the most hotly debated. The NFU has always lobbied for that debate to be led by the science and evidence.
Role of glyphosate for British farmers
British farmers recognise the importance of professional and responsible PPP stewardship, and try to use non-chemical controls before looking for a chemical solution. However, farmers should be able to utilise all options as part of managing crop growth, pests, weeds and diseases in an integrated and sustainable system. The herbicide glyphosate and other PPPs play a key role in effective crop protection, which is essential to food production in the UK.
Glyphosate reduces the need to use other herbicides, helps to protect soil and cuts greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the need for ploughing.
EU assessment of glyphosate
Between 2019 and 2023, the EU Member State Competent Authorities, the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) and the ECHA (European Chemicals Agency), re-assessed all the science and evidence on glyphosate.
The resulting scientific evaluation of all the data and evidence on glyphosate was 11,000 pages long – more than twice the length of a typical assessment report. The assessment process concluded that glyphosate is not a carcinogen, and it does not pose any key concerns regarding impact on the environment.
The EU re-assessment of the evidence concluded there is currently no scientific or legal justification for a ban. This led to the renewal of the EU approval of glyphosate in 2023 for 10 years. Under the conditions of approval and by following good agricultural practices, glyphosate is considered not to have any harmful effects on human health or unacceptable effects on the environment.
During EU Member State discussions about the renewal of glyphosate, the political decision was taken to restrict its use pre-harvest as a desiccant. There was no scientific justification for the decision – throughout the EU scientific evaluation of the evidence, there was no mention of risks associated with use as a desiccant.
Alongside the EU, regulatory authorities around the world, including in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Japan and Korea, continue to conclude that glyphosate-based products are safe to use.
Glyphosate renewal in GB
The GB regulatory renewal assessment process for glyphosate has run on a different timetable to the EU, and it is happening currently. The assessment is being done by the UK regulator – the HSE (Health and Safety Executive). The HSE will follow a process that is essentially the same as the EU process, including consideration of the EU assessment, and taking into account new scientific, technical and regulatory knowledge that has happened since the EU assessment.
You can find more detail about the process at: GOV.UK | Glyphosate renewal.
The government has announced that HSE expects to launch the statutory public consultation on the assessment of the renewal of the approval of glyphosate in summer 2026.
The application to renew the GB glyphosate approval was submitted to HSE by the GRG (Glyphosate Renewal Group), the collection of companies seeking its renewal. The GRG has a website to inform stakeholders and provide transparency on the ongoing regulatory process.
