NFU chief crops adviser Guy Gagen said: “Glyphosate is a vital tool for farmers in the UK and around the world in protecting crops and the supply of food from these crops.
“The NFU always advocates good stewardship in crop production by farmers and at the same time we call for a balanced, science based approach in the way they are regulated.
“Many of the key actives we rely on to control pests, weeds and disease and to protect crops from weather damage remain under threat from campaigning activity and subsequent political pressure. While we had seen that, in relation to glyphosate at least, we were heading back towards sensible regulation, it is disappointing to see the process politicised this week by Member States at the standing committee.”
The NFU will continue to play a key part in the lobbying on this issue and advisers, both in the UK and in Brussels, are committed to keeping discussions alive until the vote happens.