Government figures show its use in UK farming has increased by a shocking 400% in the last 20 years. Between 2014 - 2016 area treated with glyphosate increased 24%, and amount applied by 26%. In addition to its use as a normal weedkiller, its manufacturers advise farmers to spray their wheat with glyphosate to kill and dry the crop, making it easier to harvest. But glyphosate can follow the grain into our food. Tests by the Defra Committee on Pesticide Residues in Food (PRiF) found that almost two thirds of wholemeal bread sampled contained glyphosate. Glyphosate’s manufacturers insist the levels in our food are safe. But a report by the World Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer has concluded that glyphosate is a ‘probable carcinogen’. And research published since the IARC report suggests there is no safe level of glyphosate in food. Using glyphosate, and glyphosate-based products, as a pre-harvest treatment is fundamentally wrong, and we have been calling for an end to it. You can help put an end to this dangerous practice. Join us, and support our work with a regular donation, and you will be supporting farmers to find and share ways of farming that are good for the earth and good for us. Become a Member today or Make a Donation and help to get glyphosate out of our food, for good.
The Soil Association is campaigning against the use of glyphosate, the world’s most widely sold weedkiller. Government figures show use of the chemical in UK farming has increased by 400% in the last 20 years. Nearly a third of UK cereal crops were sprayed with glyphosate in 2013. The Association claim that the weedkiller follows grain into the food chain and points out that the World Health Organisation has identified glyphosate as a possible carcinogen. In response to these concerns, Monsanto recently launched an advertising campaign featuring children who are shown eating their breakfast cereals from plastic bags. The campaign is targeting UK bread manufactures and retailers including Hovis, Warburtons, Allied Bakery, Brace’s and all major supermarkets. A petition has been launched.