In 2015 the World Health Organization declared glysophate to be a "probable carcinogen." It's use has already been banned in some countries and communities. Glysophate has been linked to adverse health effects in humans and animals and also has a considerable detrimental effect on the local environment.

Many councils in the UK have moved to ban or restrict glysophate use and to find other methods to control weeds in areas where this is necessary for public safety. 

Glysophate weedkiller can currently be sprayed in public places and in play areas with no advance warning to the public. This is particularly concerning in areas where children play as the effects of glysophate are most detrimental to children and pregnant women.

There are different approaches to managing weeds: firstly, reconsidering what is deemed a weed and what needs removing and then finding alternative means of removal, of which there are now several.