Katy Jones05:00, May 05 2021 Protesters demonstrate against controversial weedkiller glyphosate in Brussels as the EU pesticides committee meets to decide on whether to extend its licence. 2019 file video. It has been the subject of nationwide protests, billion-dollar lawsuits in the United States, and recently Japan turned away New Zealand honey because of it. What is glyphosate, and should we be worried about its use in New Zealand? Glyphosate is the world’s most commonly used herbicide. In New Zealand, it is used to kill weeds in places ranging from orchards, crops and vineyards, to private gardens, roadsides and public parks. The herbicide is contained in hundreds of products globally, and used in about 90 products in this country, with Roundup arguably the most recognised brand.