Broad-spectrum and selective herbicide sales to non-professionals to be banned by end of year

The Belgian government has published its long-promised ban on the sale of broad-spectrum herbicides (such as glyphosate) to non-professional users. The ban will enter into force on Saturday 6 October 2018. The sale of selective herbicides to non-professionals will be banned as of 31 December 2018.

So-called "low-risk" synthetic herbicides and herbicides containing micro-organisms, plant extracts and natural substances of animal, plant, mineral or microbial origin can still be sold and used by non-professionals.

See the official announcement here (in French).

The three Belgian regions (Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels) had earlier banned the use of glyphosate-based herbicides by non-professionals. An appeal by the pesticide industry (Phytofar) against the Walloon region in particular is ongoing.

Belgium is the country where Monsanto produces its glyphosate-based Roundup herbicide for the whole of Europe.