The Soil Association’s petition to ban the use of glyphosate before harvest is nearing its signature goal as nearly 60,000 people have supported the farming charity’s call for the end of pre-harvest desiccation.
The petition, which is roughly 10,000 signatures away from its target of 70,000, is calling on the UK government to ban pre-harvest glyphosate use due to concerns regarding the herbicide’s impact on biodiversity and food safety.
Soil Association noted that Great Britain is currently behind the EU on this matter as the use of glyphosate to desiccate crops prior to harvest was banned within the bloc back in 2023.
Along with a UK ban on pre-harvest glyphosate, the charity is also urging British government officials to deliver stronger protections on pesticide residue in food and provide support for farmers to allow them to transition to more nature-friendly farming practices.
Within its petition, Soil Association stated: “Pesticides are contaminating our food and wild spaces – harming our health, and the bees, birds and rivers we depend on
“The European Union has already taken stronger action on pesticide use; it’s time we did too.”
Glyphosate
Soil Association outlined that glyphosate, which is “the chemical in popular weedkillers like Roundup”, can be found across Britain’s farmland and waterways, with residues often ending up in agricultural produce.
The farming charity pointed towards a reported amount of “evidence linking glyphosate to serious health concerns, from cancers to liver disease and damage to the gut microbiome.”
The group also went on to say: “[Glyphosate] can be devastating for wildlife too.
“Bees struggle to survive once contaminated, while it strips away food and shelter for birds and mammals, and pollutes our rivers.”
Pre-harvest
Soil Association described pre-harvest desiccation as a practice that is used to dry crops out faster and more evenly.
When applied so close to harvest, the charity noted that pre-harvest desiccation leaves residues in food, whether its “bread, beer or breakfast cereals.”
“Many farmers are already growing crops without pre-harvest glyphosate, and others need support to adapt.
“Right now, the UK government has a rare chance to act and protect both people and nature, while supporting the best of British farming,” the Soil Association commented.
The petition can be viewed on the Soil Association’s website, with its signature goal set to 70,000.