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New Glyphosate regulations and what they mean to the UK
A lot has happened over the last few months with regards to the use of weed killers containing
glyphosate, so we thought it would be a good idea to share the information with you.
A bit of background;
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reviews the science on pesticides and herbicides. While
conducting their latest review, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)—which
independently gathers health data for the World Health Organization- declared in their paper’s
conclusion “Glyphosate is probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A).”1 and also stated “There is
sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of glyphosate.”2
This evidence has made it difficult for the European Commission to come to a decision whether to
extend the licence of Glyphosate. If the licence was not extended, the chemical would have to be
phased out over six months.
Eventually, after months of indecision and despite failing three times in a row to secure a majority
decision from the European Union's member states, the licence was extended on June 28th, but only
for 18 months. This is significant as it would normally be extended for 15 years.
The EU has also given a series of recommendations in parallel with the extension, which include;
1) ban a co-formulant called POE-tallowamine from glyphosate based products;
2) minimise the use of the substance in public parks, public playgrounds and gardens
3) minimise the pre-harvest use of glyphosate; 3
The reaction so far;
To date it is unclear if the UK government is prepared to accept these recommendations, but some
councils in the UK are already looking to stop using glyphosate in weed control and are investigating
other chemical free methods, such councils include; Brighton, Bristol, Glastonbury, Erewash,
Aberdeen and Edinburgh. 4 This action has mainly been taken “after being contacted by concerned
constituents following the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) March 2015 report
finding that glyphosate was "probably carcinogenic".” 5
Several European countries, including Holland, Denmark and Sweden, have banned or restricted the
use of glyphosate herbicides by local authorities, because of alleged links with a variety of health
problems – not just cancer – ranging from birth defects and kidney failure to celiac disease, colitis and
autism. 6
Glyphosate is the active ingredient in many weedkillers, but the extent of the impact is not only down
to this one chemical. Dr Robin Mesnage of Kings College London, writes "We know Roundup, the
commercial name of glyphosate-based herbicides, contains many other chemicals, which when mixed
together are 1,000 times more toxic than glyphosate on its own." 7
What next?
On the 1st of August a new EU regulation “(EU) 2016/1313” came into force, which specifically
highlighted POE-tallowamine as one of these toxic chemicals and banned its use as a co-formulant in
the same product as glyphosate; “Member States shall ensure that plant protection products
containing glyphosate do not contain the co-formulant POE-tallowamine (CAS No 61791-26-2)’.” 8
The new regulation also states that “Member States should ensure that the use of plant protection
products containing glyphosate is minimised or prohibited in areas such as public parks and gardens,
sports and recreation grounds, school grounds and children's playgrounds and in the close vicinity of
healthcare facilities.” 9
Councils will be expected to act upon this legislation across the UK, and across all member states of
the EU as “This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member
States.”10
The future of glyphosate is uncertain; what is certain is that councils will have to look at alternative
ways of removing weeds in areas where use of glyphosate is restricted.
Kersten UK provide many products for chemical free weed control. For more information please
contact us at; [email protected] or visit our website; www.kerstenuk.com
References;
1. http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol112/mono112-09.pdf Evaluation 6.3
2. http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol112/mono112-09.pdf Evaluation 6.2
3. http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-16-2012_en.htm “what is the final decision?”
4. http://www.pan-uk.org/attachments/507_Glyphosate%20restrictions%20Dec%202015.pdf UK
5. http://www.hortweek.com/councils-alternative-weed-control-move-
hailed/landscape/article/1374960 Paragraph 3
6. https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/apr/21/glyphosate-probably-carcinogenic-pesticide-
why-cities-use-it Paragraph 8
7. https://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/glyphosate-debate 10 thinks point 2.
8. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-
content/EN/TXT/?toc=OJ:L:2016:208:TOC&uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2016.208.01.0001.01.ENG&utm_campa
ign=engagor&utm_content=engagor_Mzg0MzgxMw%3D%3D&utm_medium=social&utm_source=t
witter Article 1
9. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-
content/EN/TXT/?toc=OJ:L:2016:208:TOC&uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2016.208.01.0001.01.ENG&utm_campa
ign=engagor&utm_content=engagor_Mzg0MzgxMw%3D%3D&utm_medium=social&utm_source=t
witter Point 5
10. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-
content/EN/TXT/?toc=OJ:L:2016:208:TOC&uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2016.208.01.0001.01.ENG&utm_campa
ign=engagor&utm_content=engagor_Mzg0MzgxMw%3D%3D&utm_medium=social&utm_source=t
witter final paragraph
