Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to ban the use of glyphosate.

The effects of glyphosate on wildlife have been carefully assessed as part of the regulatory process for pesticides. The effects of glyphosate itself were considered by the EU when deciding whether to approve the substance. UK regulatory scientists participated in the assessment made by the European Food Safety Authority and agreed with its conclusions. The Government therefore supported the decision at the end of 2017 to continue the approval of glyphosate.

All products containing glyphosate are individually authorised and the Government will not authorise products for which the scientific assessment suggests that there may be unacceptable effects on wildlife.

Decisions on glyphosate are based on regulatory studies which companies are required to commission to support their applications. Relevant published data is also considered. The Government is not carrying out its own research on the environmental impact of glyphosate use because a comprehensive evidence base is already available.