A POPULAR weedkiller could be banned in the UK – following a new trade deal with the EU.
The chemical has been illegal in Europe since 2023.
The herbicide is actively used in crops such as wheat, oats and cereals Credit: Edwin Tan
A ban has been proposed over health concerns Credit: Sjo
A new European Union trade deal could lead to restrictions on the use of the weedkiller glyphosate in the UK.
Glyphosate is a popular which is typically used in industrial farming, including in wheat, oats and other cereals, and can be found in household weedkiller brands such as Roundup.
It has been linked to cancer and other health concerns by the World Health Organization, leading the to ban the chemical in 2023.
Now, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) are in talks with the EU over a new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement.
This agreement covers a range of industries, including the production and movement of plants, animals and their products, food and feed safety as well as regulation of and biocides.
In the UK, around 50 councils are entirely pesticide-free in these areas, and using the banned chemical could lead to fines of up to £5000.
Environmental advocates said the government should use the deal to end the use of glyphosate completely.
The campaign coordinator for The Soil Association, Cathy Cliff, said: “Experts are increasingly warning that there is no ‘safe dose’ of glyphosate, meaning the chemical should be removed from our food.
“It’s time to cut the chemicals from our food and fields.”
According to The Guardian , glyphosate was found in more than 28% of UK bread samples tested in 2024.
However, Defra spokesperson commented: “Like all pesticides, glyphosate is subject to strict regulation.”
The talks with the EU, and subsequent push for a ban, comes ahead of the weedkiller’s licence renewal in December.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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