Glyphosate is the world's most widely and heavily applied weed-killer, however there are long-standing concerns about how it might affect people's health. This is why in October 2017 MEPs demanded a full ban glyphosate-based herbicides by December 2022 and immediate restrictions on the use of the substance.

In 2016 the European Commission originally proposed to reauthorise the use of glyphosate for the next 15 years. Due to the reluctance of some countries, it was forced to reduce this period first to ten years and then to five in order to find the required majority of member states to support the herbicide's renewal.

However, this still does not go far enough for MEPs. Maltese S&D member Miriam Dalli said: “We asked for a phase-out until the year 2022 and an immediate ban for non-professional use.”

Czech S&D member Pavel Poc, one of the MEPs responsible for drafting the resolution calling for a ban, said: “I would like the Commission to look at the adverse effects of the compound which were not assessed until now.”