Austria became the first European country to announce a total ban on the weedkiller glyphosate on Tuesday. The European Union has said it will allow the use of glyphosate to continue until 2022, despite the World Health Organization classifying the chemical as probably carcinogenic and recent court cases that have ruled against Bayer, the maker of Roundup, which contains the chemical in question.

Austria's Social Democrats had been seeking parliament's approval for a full ban on glyphosate.

Although the measure was backed by environmental campaigners and a growing contingent of Austrian MPs, others expressed reservations. Farmers spoke to FRANCE 24 of their fear at a loss of income while some politicians claimed a total ban would violate EU law.

Click here to watch a video report from FRANCE 24’s Anthony Mills and Vianey Lorin.