Farming

Glyphosate approval delayed again

Published

9 years ago

June 10, 2016

A PLANNED vote on the future of the world’s most widely used herbicide in the European Union has been delayed again in light of persistent concerns over its safety.

Member state representatives on the European Council’s Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed were set t o vote on reapproval terms for glyphosate, the current license for which expires in June.

This follows the first postponement in March, when member state ministers were expected to wave through the Commission’s plans to relicense glyphosate for 15 years. However, ahead of the vote France’s environment minister Segolene Royale announced that the French government would vote against approval. This was followed by statements from the governments of Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Sweden declaring that they would vote against reauthorisation unless the vote was postponed until health concerns had been cleared up.

WHO CONCERNS

Last year, the World Health Organisation’s cancer research arm IARC classified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen. Later in the year, Commission watchdog EFSA released an opinion in which it stated glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic and recommended increasing the threshold for glyphosate residues in the EU.

This sparked a spat between scientists from the two organisations and led to scrutiny of EFSA’s work – which looked at the glyphosate compound in isolation, whereas IARC examined glyphosate products in solutions, as they are found on the market – and led to calls for greater transparency from the watchdog.

On Thursday, French minister Segolene Royale said in a statement: “In accordance with my announcement of March 4, France remains opposed to the re-approval of glyphosate for the market for 9 years.”

Royale continued: “I have been in contact with my counterparts in other European countries. The ministers for other countries, notably Germany, Italy, Sweden, Austria and Portugal have indicated they would vote against the Commission’s proposal or abstain.”

The French environment minister said France had taken its stance in light of the IARC findings on glyphosate. France has banned the sale of glyphosate to non-professionals and stopped its use in parks and public spaces.

Germany had said it would abstain in voting because the country’s farm and environment ministers belong to different parties, with different views on the debate, and no common position could be reached.

NO CONSENSUS

The revised proposal put up for debate by the Commission, following a vote in the European Parliament last month, was abandoned on Thursday after the EU executive failed to secure the required majority among EU governments.

Parliamentarians who had seen the proposal were highly critical of the Commission’s plans, which they said failed to acknowledge the ongoing concerns about glyphosate’s safety or MEPs’ resolution of last month agreeing that sales of the herbicide should be restricted to professional users only, and that the practice of using glyphosate as a desiccant on crops before harvest should be banned.

However, according to EU sources, the Commission’s revised proposal would have banned some coformulants, which evidence suggests increases any health risks associated with glyphosate.

Commenting on the development on Thursday, EU Greens’ environment and food safety spokesperson Bart Staes said: “This latest postponement is a sign that the significant opposition to reapproving glyphosate is being taken seriously by key EU governments. It is clear that the EU Commission and the agro-chemical industry were hell-bent on bulldozing through the approval of glyphosate for unrestricted use for a long timeframe but thankfully this push has been headed off for now.

“We hope this postponement will convince more EU governments to join in opposing the approval of this controversial substance and, at the very least, to proactively propose comprehensive restrictions on its use.

“The Commission cannot keep coming back with proposals that do not address the concerns with glyphosate. Instead, it needs to finally recognise that there are major problems and legislate for this.

“Only last month, the European Parliament voted to highlight its concerns with glyphosate and adopted a resolution opposing approval of glyphosate for most of its uses. MEPs voted to oppose the approval of glyphosate in agriculture where there are alternative methods for weed control, in the pre-harvest stage, in public parks and playgrounds and for hobby gardeners.

“EU governments should now take this on board both in terms of the pending EU approval but also at national level, where member states can introduce their own bans or restrictions, as France has already indicated it will do.”

Staes, who is MEP for Flanders in Belgium, added: While the agrochemical lobby is desperately trying to spin it otherwise, the finding by the WHO’S IARC that glyphosate is probably carcinogenic to humans is of major concern. This, combined with the established negative impacts on the environment, should be leading to a global moratorium on its use.”

UK FARMERS ‘EXASPERATED’

Responding late on Thursday, NFU Vice President Guy Smith said: “Like most farmers who use glyphosate regularly, I am nothing short of exasperated as to why this key herbicide cannot simply and quickly be given the reauthorisation that has been recommended by EFSA – the appropriate EU scientific body.

Some member states in the committee are prevaricating and wasting time when they could be taking decisions based on scientific evidence.

Glyphosate is a pesticide which allows farmers to combat weeds while supporting cultivation methods that can preserve good soil structure. There is no sense behind this delay and we look to Member States to support an evidence-based, full re-approval at the earliest possible opportunity.”

In their resolution last month, MEPs appealed to the Commission to err on the side of caution and abide by the precautionary principle in its decision making; in theory, the scientific principle underpins EU environment and public health legislation.

It now remains to be seen whether a vote will take place in the coming weeks or whether the European Commission will be required to cast the deciding vote.

Farming

‘Poor decision’ New Creamston housing condition overturned

Published

7 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A “POOR DECISION” agricultural worker-only imposed nearly 40 years ago has been removed from a Pembrokeshire property by county planners.

In an application recommended to be approved at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County council’s planning committee, Tim and Cathy Arthur sought permission for the removal of an agricultural worker-only condition at New Creamson, Creamston Road, near Haverfordwest.

An officer report for members said the agricultural condition was imposed when the dwelling was built in 1988/89, with a later certificate of lawful development granted this year after it was proven the site had been occupied for more than 10 years on breach of that condition.

An application for a certificate of lawfulness allows an applicant to stay at a development if they can provide proof of occupancy over a prolonged period.

Speaking at the meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd told members the original agriculture-only condition was a poor decision by planners back nearly four decades ago.

“When this application was made in 1988-89 we go back to the Preseli District Council – I was still in school – it was only a 50-acre farm, it should never have been approved as it shouldn’t have been viable.

“The current applicants have owned it for the last 20 years; they’ve tried to grow apples but couldn’t make a go of it and then went in to holiday lets. We can’t enforce redundant conditions from bad decisions made years ago.”

Approval was moved by Cllr Brian Hall and unanimously supported by committee members.

Business

Cwm Deri Vineyard Martletwy holiday lets plans deferred

Published

21 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

CALLS to convert a former vineyard restaurant in rural Pembrokeshire which had been recommended for refusal has been given a breathing space by planners.

In an application recommended for refusal at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Barry Cadogan sought permission for a farm diversification and expansion of an existing holiday operation through the conversion of the redundant former Cwm Deri vineyard production base and restaurant to three holiday lets at Oaklea, Martletwy.

It was recommended for refusal on the grounds of the open countryside location being contrary to planning policy and there was no evidence submitted that the application would not increase foul flows and that nutrient neutrality in the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC would be achieved within this catchment.

An officer report said that, while the scheme was suggested as a form of farm diversification, no detail had been provided in the form of a business case.

Speaking at the meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, after the committee had enjoyed a seasonal break for mince pies, said of the recommendation for refusal: “I’m a bit grumpy over this one; the client has done everything right, he has talked with the authority and it’s not in retrospect but has had a negative report from your officers.”

He said the former Cwm Deri vineyard had been a very successful business, with a shop and a restaurant catering for ‘100 covers’ before it closed two three years ago when the original owner relocated to Carmarthenshire.

He said Mr Cadogan then bought the site, farming over 36 acres and running a small campsite of 20 spaces, but didn’t wish to run a café or a wine shop; arguing the “beautiful kitchen” and facilities would easily convert to holiday let use.

He said a “common sense approach” showed a septic tank that could cope with a restaurant of “100 covers” could cope with three holiday lets, describing the nitrates issue as “a red herring”.

He suggested a deferral for further information to be provided by the applicant, adding: “This is a big, missed opportunity if we just kick this out today, there’s a building sitting there not creating any jobs.”

On the ‘open countryside’ argument, he said that while many viewed Martletwy as “a little bit in the sticks” there was already permission for the campsite, and the restaurant, and the Bluestone holiday park and the Wild Lakes water park were roughly a mile or so away.

He said converting the former restaurant would “be an asset to bring it over to tourism,” adding: “We don’t all want to stay in Tenby or the Ty Hotel in Milford Haven.”

While Cllr Nick Neuman felt the nutrients issue could be overcome, Cllr Michael Williams warned the application was “clearly outside policy,” recommending it be refused.

A counter-proposal, by Cllr Tony Wilcox, called for a site visit before any decision was made, the application returning to a future committee; members voting seven to three in favour of that.

Farming

Farmers Union of Wales Warns: Labour’s 5G Expansion Risks Rural Blackspots

Published

2 days ago

December 3, 2025

Tom Sinclair

FUW Joins Landowners in Urgent Call to Pause Controversial Telecoms Reforms

THE FUW (Farmers’ Union of Wales) has warned that rural communities face worsening mobile blackspots and farmers risk losing essential income if the Labour Government expands a telecoms policy blamed for stalling Britain’s 5G rollout.

In a letter to Digital Economy Minister Liz Lloyd, the FUW aligns with landowners, investors, and property experts demanding a halt to Part 2 of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) Act 2022. Extending the 2017 Electronic Communications Code (ECC) would “entrench failure,” the group argues, sparking more stalled renewals, site losses, and legal battles just as Wales needs swifter rural connectivity.

The 2017 reforms empowered operators to cut mast rents—often by 90%—from hosts like farmers, councils, and NHS trusts. Far from boosting rollout, they’ve ignited over 1,000 tribunal cases since 2017, versus 33 in the prior three decades. Rural goodwill has eroded, with hosts now eyeing exits.

“Every lost mast isolates households, schools, and businesses,” the FUW states. “No public subsidy can fix this systemic damage.”

A survey of 559 hosts (via NFU, CLA, BPF) shows:

35% considering full withdrawal.
70% of expired lease holders facing operator legal threats.

Landowner Ted Hobbs in New Tredegar shares the pain: “My 1995 Vodafone lease was £3,500 yearly, renewed in 2010 at the same rate. It expired May 2025—now they demand a slash, backed by the Code. This is confiscation, not partnership.”

Labour’s push forward—despite earlier opposition and a critical consultation—ignores these red flags.

FUW President Ian Rickman adds: “Farmers hosted masts in good faith for rural connectivity. Punishing them with rent cuts sabotages Wales. Halt this now, restore trust, and incentivise real progress.”

The coalition urges ministers to reopen dialogue before deepening rural divides. Wales can’t afford more policy missteps.