Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup herbicide products, has effectively been given a clean bill of health by European regulatory authorities.
The safety of glyphosate is reviewed at European level every 10 years. If the ingredient is considered to be risk-free then its authorisation to be put on sale is renewed.

In the final stage of the latest review, the conclusion of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the EU member states is that "glyphosate is unlikely to pose a carcinogenic hazard to humans".

The authorities also decided that the evidence did not warrant classifying glyphosate with regard to its carcinogenic potential, and said it had no toxic effect on reproduction.

Roundup, which was developed in 1974 by Monsanto but is distributed in the UK exclusively by Scotts Miracle-Gro, is the best known and biggest selling retail product containing glyphosate. It hit the headlines earlier this year amid claims that glyphosate could cause cancer and that it was being banned in some countries. However, those claims were strenuously denied by Monsanto.

Now, the overwhelming consensus of the European authorities is that glyphosate poses no unreasonable risks to humans or the environment when used according to label instructions.

Scotts Miracle-Gro told diyweek.net: "The news from EFSA is very important, as it clarifies the confusion caused by the International Agency for Research on Cancer's classification of glyphosate earlier this year, which was widely publicised and used by some activist groups to advocate for regulatory bans on the use of glyphosate or voluntary delisting of glyphosate products by retailers.

"Glyphosate has been an effective method of weed control for more than 40 years, with hundreds of studies demonstrating its safety for humans and wildlife. This latest EFSA determination should reassure retailers and consumers that they can continue to sell and use glyphosate products."

Glyphosate is the active ingredient in the following Scotts Miracle-Gro products:

· All Roundup weedkillers
· Weedol Rootkill Plus
· Weedol Gun! Rootkill Plus
· Weedol Pathclear Weedkiller
· Weedol PS Pathclear Weedkiller
· Weedol Ultra Tough Weedkiller
· Weedol Gun! Ultra Tough
· TumbleWeed
· TumbleWeed Ready to Use