Campaigners Call for Ban on Use of Weedkiller Glyphosate at Harvest Time

Campaigners are calling for a ban on the use of the weedkiller glyphosate to dry crops at harvest time because of concerns about its impact on human health.

Many farmers argue the chemical is necessary but the Soil Association warns that its use as a drying agent leaves residues in foods such as bread, breakfast cereals and beer.

Though multiple regulatory reports have found it to be safe, some scientific studies have suggested possible links between glyphosate use and cancer and other illnesses.

The government’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will soon launch a consultation on whether to allow its use on crops beyond December 2026, when the licence to use the chemical is set to expire.