Two German beekeepers recently staged a honey-based protest on the steps of the German Agriculture Ministry, arguing against the use of glyphosate herbicide.

The beekeepers, Sebastian and Camille Seusing, say that their honey has been contaminated with very high levels of glyphosate. Their apiculture business is reportedly surrounded by fields in which glyphosate herbicide is used as a weedkiller, but it also crosses over to their business and ends up tainting their honey. An ABC affiliate reports that the couple says this has caused a substantial monetary loss since they’ve had to destroy the tainted honey.

How much? About 4 tons’ worth, or $69,000, reports the couple. Unsurprisingly, this has been a substantial hit to their finances, they say, and threatens their livelihoods as beekeepers.

Deciding they needed to get the word out, the Seusings reportedly dumped a bucket of honey they said had been contaminated with glyphosate herbicide on the steps of the Agriculture Ministry, calling on Agriculture Minister Julia Kloeckner to take action and help prevent the use of glyphosate-based herbicides on flowering plants.

The German government has reportedly agreed to start the process of decreasing glyphosate weedkiller use, and intends to ban its use entirely by the end of 2023.

All across the globe, controversy over glyphosate continues to rage. In the U.S., thousands of lawsuits have been filed over glyphosate risks, including cancer.

However, every controversy has at least two sides, and many farmers reportedly argue that the loss of glyphosate would be a loss for everybody, making it more difficult to fight off the weeds that damage crops and the costly alternatives to glyphosate would lead to higher prices for consumers.

While countries across the world, including Canada, are enacting or considering tighter restrictions on glyphosate—in some cases, even outright bans, such as the ban on glyphosate in Thailand—farmers are feeling the pressure to develop new ways to control weed growth and protect their crops.

Weed scientist Hugh Beckie, who used to work with Agriculture Canada in Saskatoon and now directs Australia’s herbicide resistance initiative at the University of Western Australia in Perth, told The Western Producer that the loss of glyphosate would be a major blow.

There are a number of methods that farmers use to protect against weeds, including herbicides, mechanical weed seed destruction, collection of weed seeds using a chaff cart, and chaff windrow burning post-harvest, Beckie told reporters. (Notably, chaff windrow burning is losing popularity because of environmental concerns).

Beckie says that, over the next few years, Australia is likely going to “lose some herbicides.”

“I hope it’s not glyphosate, but the experts say there’s a 50-50 chance of losing glyphosate.”

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