Around 30 local farmers met with their MP near Easingwold on 3rd March to discuss the use of glyphosate herbicide. Growers from across the constituency spoke with Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, about the impact using glyphosate has made to their productivity and farmland. He had been invited, along with John Procter MEP, to listen to a presentation by Emma Hamer, NFU Senior Plant Adviser. He then answered questions from farmers and NFU representatives.
Kevin Hollinrake is aware of the environmental and economic arguments for the reauthorisation at EU level for British farmers to use glyphosate. He had already written to George Eustice MP, Minister of State DEFRA, about this matter after receiving letters from constituents and hearing from other concerned farmers at meetings last month in Ryedale. Mr Hollinrake told farmers at last week’s meeting that he supported their campaign and would continue to speak to colleagues about the issue.