Glyphosate should not be classified as a carcinogen, the European Chemicals Agency's (ECHA) Risk Assessment Committee has concluded this week.
Farmers have been campaigning to be allowed to continue to use the herbicide on their land. Some environmental groups are calling for it to be banned. Recently Kevin Hollinrake MP met with farmers in his constituency to discuss the matter. He welcomes this week’s announcement from ECHA and hopes that it will lead to the renewal of the approval to use glyphosate, a decision by the European Commission is due later this year.
“This is such an important issue for the British agriculture industry, the news from the ECHA is most welcome. We need to look at the scientific evidence on this subject. We must support our farmers and listen to their knowledge of the land and their crops. Listening to the evidence from growers and producers in my constituency I am aware of the many arguments for a renewal to be able to use glyphosate. I will continue to speak to my colleagues on this matter and explain the environmental and economic arguments for a reauthorisation at EU level.”