EU Member States have agreed to extend for five years the license for the crop protection product glyphosate.
Eighteen Member States including the UK voted for, nine against and one abstained at an appeal committee in Brussels today (27 November).
CLA President Tim Breitmeyer said: “Farmers will breathe a sigh of relief at this news. It will ensure at least for now that we can continue to use this essential tool for tackling pervasive problems like grassweed infestation and means we will not have to resort to less effective specialist chemicals. It will also preserve the vital weapon in the armoury for farmers to continue to explore conservation tillage practices where appropriate.
“We are grateful that the UK government has stood firm behind the scientific evidence throughout this saga when many other Member States succumbed to the intense pressure placed by campaigning organisations. However, this is a temporary reprieve and the EU should move away from the political decision-making that is now prevalent in Brussels, and follow a sound science-based approach. It is time for an urgent rethink of how decisions on these important matters can be made.”