The French government continues to oppose the licensing of glyphosate, the temporary licence for which is up for renewal at the end of the year.

French president Emmanuel Macron’s electoral manifesto earlier this year included “the gradual phasing out of pesticides, starting with those posing a risk to biodiversity or health, and the development of alternatives”. Macron has adopted largely pro-business policies since entering office and is not expected to impose a brutal ban on sprays. He may, however, try to influence European policy in a way that would help position France’s large chemical industry as a leader in next generation, bio-based pesticides.