A NORTH Yorkshire MP has joined farmers who are campaigning about the future of a widely used weed killer.

Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake joined Harrogate MP Andrew Jones and MEP John Proctor earlier this month to visit farms and talk about Glyphosate - a key ingredient in Roundup.

The chemical is under review by the EU and must be re-authorised for use by 31 December or will become prohibited. Just three days after their visits the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced the Glyphosate should not be classified as a carcinogen.

NFU county chairman James Bainbridge, who farms near Stokesley, said: “Its importance cannot be underestimated. It reduces the need to use other herbicides and helps protect our soils by reducing the need for ploughing – something that also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“It is fundamental to our drive to produce safe, affordable and high quality British food.”

Chairman of the NFU’s regional crops board Brett Askew added that with this new classification, there could be no reason why Glyphosate should not be re-authorised for use by farmers.

He urged farmers to keep contacting MPs and MEPs before the European Commission makes its decision later this year.