Valued weedkiller

SIR – Glyphosate is essential to a green future for Britain’s farmland. Glyphosate herbicides are vital for modern agricultural techniques, which mean less soil disturbance and less carbon released into the environment.

Today the EU will consider whether to ban the herbicide, under pressure from powerful lobbying groups such as Greenpeace. Glyphosate has been used safely in Britain to keep our crops healthy and productive for 40 years, and the overwhelming independent scientific consensus is that it’s safe.

This is ultimately keeping our food supply safe and prices affordable while cutting carbon emissions from farming and protecting soil life.

Banning glyphosate would deal a blow to British farmers, wiping £930 million from the value of our agricultural sector and slashing trade competitiveness for British products such as wheat, barley and oilseeds.

We call on Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, and the Government to back British farmers by supporting a positive vote in Europe to ensure they can continue to use this vital tool for a sustainable future for British agriculture.

Sean Sparling

Chairman, Association of Independent Crop Consultants and 110 others; see telegraph.co.uk