Omanghana
A coalition of more than 25 farming, environmental, and public health organizations has launched a major campaign demanding an immediate ban on the use of glyphosate as a pre-harvest drying chemical in agriculture.
The campaign, known as “Cut the Chemicals,” is being led by the Soil Association and is targeting the controversial practice of spraying crops with glyphosate shortly before harvest to dry them out and simplify processing.
Campaigners argue that the method leaves chemical residues in widely consumed food products including bread, breakfast cereals, and beer, raising growing concerns over long-term public health risks.
Environmental and health groups involved in the campaign say increasing scientific evidence links glyphosate exposure to cancer, particularly non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as well as hormonal disruption and neurological disorders.
Organizations including Greenpeace and The Wildlife Trusts also warned that glyphosate use contributes to declining pollinator populations and contamination of rivers and waterways.
The renewed pressure comes ahead of a major consultation expected later this year by the Health and Safety Executive regarding the future approval of glyphosate use in Great Britain.
The current British license for glyphosate is scheduled to expire on December 15, 2026, setting the stage for a potentially contentious regulatory decision.
Campaigners are urging the UK government to follow the example of the European Union, which banned the use of glyphosate for pre-harvest desiccation in 2023.
Supporters of the ban argue that aligning with EU standards would strengthen public health protections and reduce chemical exposure in food supplies.
The debate has also drawn attention to developments in the United States, where the United States Environmental Protection Agency continues to maintain that glyphosate is safe when used according to labeling instructions.
However, Bayer AG, the manufacturer of the herbicide Roundup, is currently facing tens of thousands of lawsuits linked to glyphosate-related cancer claims, fueling speculation that the company could eventually withdraw the product from some markets if legal pressures continue to grow.
The campaign has faced strong opposition from major agricultural organizations and farming groups.
National Farmers Union Deputy President Paul Tompkins described glyphosate as an “essential tool” for weed management and maintaining food security.
Some farmers also argue that eliminating glyphosate would force them to rely more heavily on mechanical crop drying methods, increasing diesel consumption, operational costs, and carbon emissions.
The debate is expected to intensify in the coming months as regulators, farmers, environmental groups, and public health advocates clash over the future of one of the world’s most widely used agricultural chemicals.
Source: Omanghana
