Use of glyphosate in Jersey
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WQ.373/2025
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT BY DEPUTY H.L. JEUNE OF ST. JOHN, ST. LAWRENCE AND TRINITY
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 6th OCTOBER 2025 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 13th OCTOBER 2025
Question
"Further to the recent publication of the Global Glyphosate Study by the Ramazani Institute, which indicated that glyphosate may cause multiple types of cancer even at doses currently considered safe by regulators, will the Minister review and consider making changes to the use of glyphosate in Jersey; and if not, why not?"
Answer
In November 2023, the European Commission adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2660, renewing the approval of glyphosate for an additional 10 years. This decision followed comprehensive and rigorous scientific risk assessments, which are legally required for all pesticide active ingredients. For glyphosate, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published its peer-reviewed conclusions in July 2023. As with previous evaluations, the review found no evidence that glyphosate poses harmful effects to human or animal health, nor any unacceptable risks to the environment.
Although the U.K. now operates an independent pesticide approval process following Brexit, it aligned with the E.U.'s 2023 decision. As a result, glyphosate remains authorised for use in the U.K. However, the U.K. follows a different schedule for routine reassessments of pesticide active substances. The current reassessment of glyphosate is ongoing, and while its approval is set to expire on 15 December 2026, renewal is widely anticipated
Jersey lacks the in-house expertise and infrastructure to independently assess the toxicology and epidemiology of pesticides. Consequently, it relies on the evaluations conducted by expert regulatory bodies in the E.U. and U.K. Since both currently approve glyphosate and authorise glyphosate-based products, Jersey continues to follow their lead.
It is important to note, however, that pesticide approvals are not permanent. They may be amended or revoked if new scientific evidence emerges that challenges previous safety conclusions. Should the findings of the Ramazzini Institute study be submitted to regulatory authorities, they will be reviewed and considered at the E.U., U.K. and ultimately Jersey levels.