Rise of Glyphosate Use in UK Agriculture
In the 1980s, Scottish farmers pioneered the practice of spraying glyphosate on wheat shortly before harvest. Facing challenges in the damp glens to achieve even crop drying, they devised a method to accelerate the process by killing the crop one to two weeks prior to harvesting.
Glyphosate, at the time a revolutionary herbicide that eliminated all plant life but spared animals, appeared ideal for this purpose. This technique soon spread to other wetter and colder agricultural regions worldwide.
Four decades later, thousands of tonnes of glyphosate are applied annually across UK farmland, municipal green spaces, and domestic gardens. However, the herbicide's safety has become highly contested, and with its license due for renewal in December, calls have intensified for its ban or severe restriction.
Glyphosate Usage Statistics and Health Concerns
Analysis of government data revealed that over 2,200 tonnes of glyphosate were sprayed by UK farmers in 2024, with more than half applied to wheat and other cereals.
These figures represent a tenfold increase in glyphosate use over the past 30 years, with usage remaining high despite the World Health Organization classifying glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans." Bayer, the manufacturer, maintains that its herbicides do not cause cancer.
"The UK’s glyphosate addiction has spiralled out of control," said Nick Mole of Pesticide Action Network UK, a campaign group responsible for the analysis. "We know that glyphosate has links to a range of cancers and other life-threatening diseases. And that it damages the environment, polluting our waters and harming wildlife.
"The government urgently needs to commit to phase out – and ultimately ban – glyphosate and support farmers and local councils to adopt safe and sustainable alternatives."
Glyphosate’s Role and Application in UK Farming
Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide, effective against all weeds, including grasses and broadleaf varieties, making it a valuable tool for farmers. Its application in the UK differs from that in the US, where genetically modified crops resistant to glyphosate are extensively sprayed during growth.
"The primary use of glyphosate in the UK is it’s applied before the crop is planted to kill off all the weeds that are growing in the field," explained Helen Metcalfe, an agricultural ecologist at Rothamsted Research in Harpenden, Hertfordshire.
Metcalfe noted that the shift towards less destructive "regenerative" farming practices has contributed to increased glyphosate use. The alternative—ploughing the field to remove weeds—would harm the soil, which farmers aim to protect.
"They’re trying to protect their soil, trying to prevent erosion, trying to build up carbon in the soil and all that good stuff. To be able to do regenerative farming well you need to apply glyphosate," Metcalfe said.
Health Risks and Legal Actions
Despite its agricultural benefits, synthetic chemical use carries risks. In the US, Bayer agreed to a £5.4 billion settlement to resolve thousands of lawsuits alleging failure to warn consumers that Roundup, a glyphosate-containing herbicide, could cause cancer. In France, the government has acknowledged a link between Parkinson’s disease and glyphosate exposure and has compensated affected farmers.
Wayne Carter, an associate professor at the University of Nottingham who researches pesticide biological impacts, emphasized exposure concerns.
"As with most things, essentially, the more you’re exposed, the more concern there is," Carter stated. "Too much is potentially toxic, so you could be exposed through your diet, you could be exposed to an inhalation route; but also you should be mindful of going out there and slopping it around in your garden, basically."
Regulatory Responses and Government Position
In 2023, the European Union banned glyphosate use in pre-harvest desiccation due to concerns about its accumulation in food.
A UK government spokesperson affirmed that glyphosate use is strictly regulated, stating:
"Pesticides are only approved for use if the evidence shows that they won’t harm human or animal health, and won’t have unacceptable effects on the environment."
