This is a complex and sensitive issue. In my research group, we have detected glyphosate residues in biological samples of wildlife in agricultural environments exposed to glyphosate and other chemical compounds. In general, plant protection products are products designed to generate toxic effects -mainly lethal- on certain organisms (called target organisms), and which can also trigger toxic effects -sub-lethal- on other organisms for which they have not been designed (non-target organisms). These effects have negative repercussions that can reach up to higher levels of biological organisation, such as the population level.
Through our studies, we have detected prevalences of glyphosate herbicide residues in the gastric contents of game much higher than those of other commonly used pesticides. This was largely to be expected due to the excessive use of this herbicide, both in Spain and in other countries. That is why I believe that, behind the glyphosate issue, there is a more important underlying problem: the continued increase in the consumption of phytosanitary products. In this sense, I believe that the most coherent approach would be to achieve a more sustainable regulation of the use of phytosanitary products, as well as the implementation of effective agro-environmental measures to limit and reduce their consumption over time - just the opposite of the trend that has been observed in recent decades throughout the world.