EU member states have failed to reach agreement on the renewal of glyphosate's licence for 10 years, as the Commission had proposed. The current licence ends on 15 December.

NFU Scotland expressed disappointment and said it hoped that those voting at the next expert committee meeting - likely to take place in the next two weeks - base their vote on the volume of scientific evidence rather than politics, when they consider a shorter reauthorisation period for glyphosate.

NFUS President Andrew McCornick said: "The overwhelming science indicates that glyphosate is the safest, most eco-friendly herbicide available and it is a vital tool for our members in producing safe, high quality food for consumers.

"Arable and livestock farms throughout Scotland rely on glyphosate to control weeds, manage harvests and reduce grain drying costs and have done so safely for many, many years. The cost of losing such a vital asset would be detrimental to many who rely so heavily on it. It is proven to be a climate change friendly herbicide and its use, instead of the high CO2 emitting alternatives, is an environmental positive."

Meanwhile the Scottish Government has revealed that 23 individual cases for extensions to slurry spreading in nitrate vulnerable zones (NVZs) have been granted, with another two being actively considered.

The deadline for emptying slurry pits expired on October 15, but the Scottish Government announced that it would look sympathetically at cases of NVZ where poor weather had stopped many farmers from spreading their slurry in time.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "While we are happy to continue to help affected farmers, we expect farmers and crofters to take every possible step to comply with the NVZs legal requirements, which play a vital role in protecting our water quality and wider environment."

Market round-up

United Auctions sold 61 pedigree Simmental bulls at Stirling on Tuesday to a top of 22,000 guineas and an average of £5720 (+£337 on the year for a 52 per cent clearance). Seventy-seven pedigree Charolais bulls peaked at 12,000gns and levelled at £6181 (+£507 for a 69 per cent clearance).

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 851 prime lambs in Newton Stewart yesterday to a top of £86.50 per head and 186.6p per kg to average 159.2p (-5.3p on the week). The auctioneer reports that although leaner, plainer types were cheaper on the week and dragged the overall average down, good lambs were dearer.

The firm also sold 286 heavy cast ewes to a top of £122 for Texels and an average of £68.20, while light/export-type ewes peaked at £53.50 for Blackfaces and levelled at £29.10.