Glyphosate in EU -- Farmers' Weekly joins in

[Cherry Lavell]

Dear All

Austria could become the first EU country to ban glyphosate, while Germany is considering doing the same. The EU conversely may decide to reapprove the chemical at the end of this year.

 

Sadly, a German farmer expresses his doubts about any ban in the same issue of Farmers’ Weekly (11 October): he says the alternatives to glyphosate (older chemicals, and reversion to ploughing) are worse for the environment. Countering that (also 11 Oct), a Cambridgeshire grower has halved his use of glyphosate across five farms; he  found the use of cover crops including spring beans very helpful in reducing the chemical use. He also uses some other farming techniques like growing catch crops which help. The soil has also improved over the five years of use. Organic farmers of course do not use glyphosate.

 

The final item I note in this ‘bumper’ (to me/us) issue of FW is that a team of climate-aware farmers attempted to drive a tractor from Stockbridge in Hants to join the Extinction Rebellion climate rally in London. The tractor was proudly painted in XR magenta, but sadly the police intercepted it in Horseferry Road. One of the farmers explained that the team were all passionate about regenerative agriculture and wanted to show that they were doing their bit against climate change. They also wanted to dispel the view that Extinction Rebellion is ‘just for vegan hippies’.

 

With best wishes

Cherry