Some European countries maintain a partial or total ban on glyphosate, according to the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

For its part, the Mexican government restricted imports of glyphosate in 2020 and intended to ban its use completely by March 2024. However, in March 2024, a joint statement by several ministries postponed the ban until a viable alternative could be found. 

Ban on glyphosate

The European Union requires that the approval of a pesticide’s active substance (i.e., the substance that acts against pests or plant diseases) be renewed periodically. In 2023, the European Union reapproved glyphosate, the herbicide used in certain plant protection products, as an active substance until December 15, 2033. 

Following the approval of an active substance in the European Union, Member States control the authorization of formulated products containing that substance. Member States have various regulations limiting the use of products containing glyphosate. 

Europe

According to the USTR, despite the European Union’s renewal of glyphosate approval in 2023, some Member States continue to ban this product partially or totally, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. 

Member State bans affect the use of the substance within that country’s national borders, but do not affect any Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for glyphosate, as all pesticide MRLs are determined at the European Union level.

The MRL refers to the maximum permitted level of glyphosate herbicide residues that may remain in a food or agricultural product after application without posing a risk to human health.