The UK farming unions have joined forces to fight off desperate last minute attempts by campaigners to thwart the re-registration of glyphosate.

They have mirrored action taken by Copa and Cogeca (organisations representing both EU farmers' unions and farm co-operatives), and jointly sent a letter to the European Commission and MEPs urging them to reject efforts by the European Parliament's Environment Committee and others to undermine this re-registration.

Glyphosate is the world's most widely used herbicide and is widely and safely used here in Scotland, both to control weeds and as a tool to ripen grain.

It is also approved for the control of weeds along riverbanks, including invasive species such as giant hogweed.

The European Food Safety Authority - the key advisor to the European Union on pesticide safety - concluded that "glyphosate is unlikely to pose a carcinogenic hazard to humans". This echoed earlier conclusions reached by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment in Germany, which conducted the detailed review of glyphosate in the earlier stages of the re-registration process.

Anti-pesticide campaigners and some politicians have sought to dismiss this best-available science about glyphosate safety, and have instead tried to derail the re-registration by calling for further research.

Market round-up

United Auctions sold 820 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to a top of 267.5p per kg and an average of 211.9p (+1p on the week), while 1300 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 267.9p and levelled at 219.6p (+1p). Thirty-eight store, B&W bullocks sold to 172.6p and averaged 132.3p (+4.4p).

In the rough ring 85 beef cows averaged 127.9p and 7 dairy cows levelled at 75.3p.

C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 14 prime heifers in Dumfries yesterday to a top of 211.5p and an average of 197p.

There were 62 OTM cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows averaged 118.8p and dairy cows levelled at 88.2p.

The firm also sold 406 prime hoggs to a top of £95 per head and 202p per kg to average 181.3p (-1.1p).

The 194 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £137.50 for Texels and average £97.17 (+£2.17), while light ewes peaked at £77.50 for Cheviots and levelled at £52.30 (-£5.86).

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 782 prime hoggs in Newton Stewart on Wednesday to a top of £99.50 and 195.7p to average 173.4p (-7.3p).

A small show of 129 cast sheep saw ewes sell to £135 for Texels and £80 for Blackfaces.