Glyphosate drive in need of voices

Scotland’s farmers are being urged to stand up and be counted in support of the reauthorisation of the world’s most widely used herbicide, glyphosate.

NFU Scotland (NFUS) wants its membership’s help as it bids to hammer home precisely how important the plant protection product is to the farming industry.

“It must be re-authorised for a full 15 years, including use pre-harvest,” the union said, as it launched its #GlyphosateIsVital campaign from McGregor Farms, Coldstream, in the Scottish Borders.

McGregor Farms, like the majority of arable and livestock farms across Scotland, relies heavily on glyphosate to control weeds, manage harvests, and reduce grain drying costs.

But controversy ruled last year when the herbicide was deemed by some scientists a possible cause of cancer; and subsequently re-authorised by the EU for agricultural use for only 18 months rather than the 15 years the UK farming unions and wider agricultural industry had called for.

While researchers remain divided over the potential link between the disease and the chemical, glyphosate has now received a ‘clean bill of health’ from the European Food Safety Authority, European Chemicals Agency, World Health Organisation and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.

Speaking from Coldstream, NFUS president Andrew McCornick said if the scientific consensus from those organisations is to have any credibility at all, in terms of plant protection product regulation, glyphosate must now be reauthorised for a further 15 years.

“Whilst the union has written to all Scottish MEPs to encourage them to support the reauthorisation of glyphosate, it would be invaluable if these MEPs also heard directly from farmers who use glyphosate about what it means for them,” said Mr McCornick.

A group of 30 MEPs recently wrote to the European Commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker, in opposition of the reauthorisation of glyphosate.

They questioned the impartiality of the Echa’s ruling on the safety of the herbicide, alleging it had been unduly influenced by product manufacturer Monsanto, and urged farmers to adopt glyphosate-free agriculture systems.

A final decision on the future licence of the product will be made by member states and institutions later this year.

It would be invaluable if these MEPs also heard directly from farmers who use glyphosate. ANDREW MCCORNICK

From left: Willie Thomson, Combinable Crops Committee vice-chairman; Kelvin Pate, Lothian and Borders chairman; David Fuller, Colin McGregor and Jill McGregor, all from McGregor Farms; president Andrew McCornick’ and VPs Gary Mitchell and Martin Kennedy.