EWRS 50th anniversary - a review on weed science from a UK perspective
Posted on December 17th, 2025 on 17:52:24 by J H Clarke
My contribution to 50 years of EWRS: a weed science review with an UK persepctive
Having viewed the EWRS videos celebrating 50 years of weed control I was reminded of a similar presentation I made recently.
Although mine was from a UK perspective and contained some history of the British Crop Production Council and weeds group, it has many similarities. On reviewing what I presented in November 2023 I was also reminded that EWRS had its origins in the European Weed Research Council (1960) – making it 65 years! You can access and view my PPT via my LinkedIn profile or direct at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/lessons-from-over-60-years-weed-management-experience-james-clarke-omxpe/ ).
My conclusions were:
- Weeds not seen as bad by all & divide opinion.
- 60 years of significant change & challenge.
- Weed science led UK & World; resulted in formation of BCPC (1953); 1964 1st weed review.
- Herbicides have peaked; future challenges will mean greater integration with other measures.
- Annual & arable weeds still dominate; others (e.g. perennial BLW) are just as important in specific situations.
- Herbicides will remain important with challenges: availability, resistance, authorisation.
- Demand for improved prediction, decision support (of need & impact) & weed detection.
- Targeting & application practice & formulation improvements could help.
- Investment needs: new knowledge and KE.
I hope members and other viewers find it informative and interesting.
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