Bayer CropScience has warned that a key ingredient used in its glyphosate herbicides has suffered a “mechanical failure”, which could result in a shortage of production in the coming months.
As Philip Case reports for Farmers Weekly, the German agrochemical giant said one of its key raw material suppliers had experienced a mechanical failure in its manufacturing plant “which leads to a substantial reduction in production rates”.
“As of now, given the supplier notification, we expect repairs to this production line to take around three months,” wrote Dr Udo Schneider, Bayer’s global head of active ingredient manufacturing, in a letter to customers on Friday 11 February.
Bayer, which manufactures the glyphosate-containing weedkiller Roundup, has not revealed the identity of the key supplier of the raw material ingredient that has been affected.
Matt Culley, NFU combinable crops board chairman, said tightening supplies of glyphosate were a “major concern” for UK arable growers. “We’re very concerned about the price rises of all crop inputs, especially fertiliser, and glyphosate is one that has risen sharply,” he added.
Source: Farmers Weekly. Read the full story here
Cover image: Courtesy Tim Scrivener via FWI
