GRG Newsletter – 1st Edition
GRG Newsletter – 1st Edition
Welcome to the Glyphosate Renewal Group (GRG) Newsletter
With the GRG newsletters, we will regularly share relevant information and updates, keeping you informed on the regulatory processes in Great Britain (GB), milestones on the glyphosate re-authorisation, and sharing information regarding the GRG efforts.
The GRG is committed to transparency and to fostering an open and constructive dialogue on the renewal of the authorisation of the active substance glyphosate in GB.
In this first edition of the GB newsletter, we outline what glyphosate is, explain the role of the GRG, describe glyphosate’s use in the agriculture sector, and set out our commitment to transparency. We invite you to visit our website for further information, and to contact us should you have any questions.
In this March 2026 issue
Introduction
What is Glyphosate?
Glyphosate – GB authorisation
What is the Glyphosate Renewal Group (GRG)?
Transparency Commitment
The Glyphosate Dossier is publicly available: We Listened, We learnt
Glyphosate in the agricultural sector
How glyphosate is used in the agriculture sector
What are the environmental benefits of conservation agriculture?
Glyphosate’s positive impact on yields and harvests
The UK’s unique maritime climate
Introduction
What is Glyphosate?
Glyphosate is a chemical substance used in numerous non-selective herbicides developed to combat unwanted weeds and invasive plants. Products based on glyphosate are approved for use in different applications such as agriculture, vegetation management, and widely across the amenities sector. Today, products based on glyphosate are registered and marketed in approximately 150 countries and are a safe and effective tool to control weeds when used in accordance with the label instructions.
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About the Glyphosate Renewal Group
The Glyphosate Renewal Group (GRG) is a collection of companies seeking the renewal of the GB authorisation of the active substance glyphosate in 2026. The GRG’s member companies have joined resources and efforts to prepare a single dossier with the scientific studies and information on the safety of glyphosate.
Glyphosate – UK Authorisation
In Great Britain, glyphosate is currently approved while undergoing renewal assessment by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Glyphosate’s approval has been extended until 15 December 2026 to allow completion of the renewal review. A UK consultation is expected to be launched by HSE during summer 2026 as part of the formal, science-led renewal process to ensure continued compliance with safety criteria. All authorised products that contain glyphosate in Great Britain must meet strict regulatory controls, including application rates, operator protection, and environmental mitigation measures. It is illegal to apply glyphosate-based herbicides at higher rates than recommended on the label. There is no added benefit in applying more than the recommended application rate.
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Transparency Commitment
The Glyphosate Dossier is publicly available:
The GRG can share that the scientific dossier, submitted as part of the EU and upcoming GB glyphosate reapproval process, is publicly available. Via its website, the GRG grants unrestricted access to the various parts of the robust scientific dossier, including all glyphosate study reports commissioned by the GRG member companies.
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Glyphosate in the agricultural sector
For over fifty years, glyphosate has played an important role in the agriculture sector, supporting farmers to protect crops and remain productive.
Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide used to manage weeds in arable farming and other land uses. In no-tillage systems, soil is not mechanically disturbed to control weeds and as a result, effective chemical weed control becomes essential. Its use provides a variety of economic and environmental benefits, while also improving UK food security.
Glyphosate plays a critical role in the promotion of Conservation Agriculture and Regenerative Agriculture (CA-RA) practices. Its use supports farmers to implement the three main principles of CA-RA: reducing soil disturbance, increasing permanent soil cover, and improving crop diversification. Glyphosate’s use as a tool to support CA-RA, brings not only substantial environmental benefits, but also supports farmers to reduce costs and work more efficiently.
Glyphosate operates in a very targeted manner to control weeds and preserve farmers’ yields. Weeds compete with planted crops for nutrients, water, oxygen, and sunlight and can be vectors for other crop enemies such as insects and diseases. This slows down or impedes crops’ growth, therefore threatening a good outcome of the harvest and farmers’ revenues. The impact of glyphosate phase-out is estimated to be severe, particularly for wheat and barley yields.
At a time when farmers are under pressure to produce more sustainably while safeguarding food security, it is important to consider the full range of agronomic, environmental, and economic implications. How can we best support UK farmers to deliver resilient, sustainable food production without limiting access to the tools that make it possible?
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