Use of glyphosate

Glyphosate is a systemic herbicide belonging to the group of non-selective herbicides. It suppresses all plants that they have been treted with. The use of glyphosate in Slovenia has been limited to agricultural areas and professional users only, as there are currently no suitable alternative herbicides or non-chemical methods with a simmilar effect available. The use of glyphosate is limited to the treatment before sowing or planting, after harvesting the crop to clean the surface and to control weeds in permanent plantations. 

Current status of glyphosate in the EU

Glyphosate is currently approved in the EU until 15 December 2033, as specified in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2660 of 28 November 2023 renewing the approval of the active substance glyphosate in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council and amending Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011.

Glyphosate in the Republic of Slovenia

There are 13 PPP containing glyphosate authorised in Slovenia in February 2024. They have been authorised for weed control in permanent plantations, tree nurseries, maize and cereals before sowing, stubbles, grasslands and pastures. 

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia has banned the use of all herbicides (pesticides for weed control) in public areas from October 1, 2019, by adopting national rules. With the amendments to these rules, which entered into force  on December  8, 2022, the use of certain herbicides not containing glyphosate has been permitted on railways, on the median separation lane of motorways or expressways and on the banks of motorways or expressways.

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia has adopted a decision (in Slovenian language) stating, that the Slovenian Government has been in favour of banning the use of gyphosate, while an adequate adjustment period for agriculture shall be alowed. The Government has been committed to optimising, reducing, and professionalising the use of PPP. The Government believes there has been an excessive "chemicalisation" of agricultural food and feed production in recent decades, while the fact is that agricultural production without PPP is not possible in a short term.