Campaigners are urging the Government to ban the use of glyphosate on crops at harvest, citing growing concerns over its potential links to cancer and other health risks. Glyphosate, widely known as the active ingredient in products such as Roundup, is commonly used by farmers to control weeds. However, it is also applied shortly before harvest to dry out crops - a process known as pre-harvest desiccation.
Residues Found in Common Foods
The Soil Association has warned that this practice can leave chemical residues in everyday foods, including bread, cereals and beer. According to the group, nearly half of UK crop samples tested across wheat, barley and oats contained traces of glyphosate. Use of the chemical as a drying agent was banned in the European Union in 2023, prompting campaigners to call for similar action in Britain.
Health and Safety Executive Consultation
The issue comes as the Health and Safety Executive prepares to launch a public consultation on whether glyphosate's licence should be renewed in Great Britain. The chemical is currently approved for use until December 15, after ministers granted an extension to allow further review of scientific evidence. Farming groups are expected to argue that glyphosate remains essential for crop production, helping to ensure food security and farm viability, particularly in cereals and oilseed rape.
Scientific Evidence of Harm
However, concerns about its safety continue to grow. The World Health Organisation classified glyphosate as a 'probable carcinogen' in 2015. More recently, an international panel of scientists at the Seattle Glyphosate Symposium concluded that both glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides can harm human health and cause cancer.
Joint Open Letter to Ministers
In a joint open letter, organisations including the Nature Friendly Farming Network, Greenpeace, The Wildlife Trusts and organic food company Riverford have called on ministers to end the use of glyphosate for pre-harvest drying. They argue that such a move could prevent the chemical from being sprayed on crops covering up to 780,000 hectares annually - roughly five times the size of London.
Soil Association Campaigns Coordinator's Statement
Soil Association campaigns co-ordinator Cathy Cliff said: “No one wants a chemical linked to cancer in their sandwiches or breakfast cereal. The UK is already lagging behind Europe, which takes a much tougher stance on pesticides that pose a risk to human health. The Government must act to protect public health by stopping this toxic chemical from being sprayed on our food at harvest. Many farmers are already reducing their use of harmful pesticides and the Government must work harder to support their efforts. Our Government must do the right thing and remove glyphosate from our foods, while supporting farmers to find alternatives that protect nature and public health.”
Expert and Industry Voices
Dr May van Schalkwyk, from the Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention and Global Health Policy Unit at the University of Edinburgh, said there is a 'mounting body of independent evidence' pointing to harm caused by glyphosate-based pesticides. Guy Singh-Watson, founder of Riverford, added: “Glyphosate use in our food system is poison in plain sight. Spraying crops with a chemical classified as 'probably carcinogenic', often just days before harvest, creates a direct route from field to plate that should concern us all. This is not only a public health issue, but also a farming one too. Many farmers are locked into using these chemicals by a system that leaves them with few commercially viable alternatives. The Government has a responsibility to ensure our food is produced without compromising the health of people or the planet. Banning glyphosate as a pre-harvest desiccant is a sensible first step, and farmers must be supported to make the transition away from chemical dependence.”
Government Response
A Government spokesperson said glyphosate remains subject to strict regulation. “Like all pesticides, glyphosate is subject to strict regulation in Great Britain and 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. Our UK Pesticides National Action Plan supports moves by farmers, growers and other land managers to minimise the use of pesticides and increase integrated pest management - a holistic and sustainable approach to pest, weed and disease control.”
