Controversial glyphosate weedkiller wins new five-year lease in Europe

EU votes to reauthorise the pesticide, ending a bitterly fought battle that saw 1.3 million people sign a petition calling for a ban

Glyphosate, the key ingredient in the world's bestselling weedkiller, has won a new five-year lease in Europe, closing the most bitterly fought pesticide relicensing battle of recent times.

The herbicide's license had been due to run out in less than three weeks, raising the prospect of Monsanto's Roundup disappearing from store shelves and, potentially, a farmers' revolt.