Oman already glyphosate free even as issue is hotly contested in EU

EU citizens gathered over one million signatures in an effort to get the European Commission to ban glyphosate, the active ingredient used in some herbicides. The European Commission officially received the petition on October 6. The controversial ingredient has been banned in the GCC since last year.

Eng Saleh al Abri, director general of agricultural development in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MoAF), said, “Glyphosate hasn't been available in Oman since 2016.”

About the most widely known glyphosate containing herbicide, Monsanto's Roundup, Eng Abri said, “Roundup is suspended for use in Oman since IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) added the active ingredient to their banned list.

“This active ingredient has been banned throughout the GCC since last year. In Oman, the last import permit was issued in 2015. There are some alternatives, such as Glufosinate ammonium salt, Diquat Dibromide, Picloram and Propyzamide, approved by relevant authorities.”