EU on brink of historic decision on pervasive glyphosate weedkiller
Written by Arthur Neslen
Glyphosate is found in 60% of UK bread and environmentalists welcome a ban but industry warn of uproar among farmers if herbicide is phased out
A pivotal EU vote this week could revoke the licence for the most widely used herbicide in human history, with fateful consequences for global agriculture and its regulation.
Glyphosate is a weedkiller so pervasive that its residues were recently found in 45% of Europe’s topsoil – and in the urine of three quarters of Germans tested, at five times the legal limit for drinking water.
Related: Ben & Jerry’s to launch glyphosate-free ice-cream after tests find traces of weedkiller
Industry officials warn of farmers in revolt, environmental degradation and crops rotting in the fields if glyphosate is banned
Related: Monsanto banned from European parliament
Related: UN experts denounce 'myth' pesticides are necessary to feed the world
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