This review on the effects of glyphosate, the active ingredient of Roundup, on microbial communities and plant, animal, and human health arrived just in time: this year the European Commission (EC) takes a decision on the possible extension of the authorization of the herbicide glyphosate in the EU. The policies in all EU countries concerning glyphosate use are dependent on the EU decision. The authors conclude that the maximum residue levels in human and animal food should be adjusted downwards to prevent or at least minimize damage to the microbiome and thus to the host. Glyphosate residues in the environment originate not only from spraying crops with glyphosate but also from the application of manure from animals that were fed with glyphosate-resistant internationally traded feed stuffs. The concentrations of glyphosate in soil and surface- and groundwater are already so high, partly due to the slow total degradation, that there are concerns for the future drinking water quality. In addition, regular glyphosate-sensitive crops grow worse on soils that have been sprayed with glyphosate or fertilized with glyphosate-containing manure so that opportunities for circular agriculture can be compromised. The authors, therefore, advocate that all these negative side effects should be seriously considered before deciding on whether to allow glyphosate use in the (near) future.

Highlights
•Global pesticide regulations and standards for surface freshwater are evaluated.
•Large variation exists in pesticides, standard types, and numerical values.
•European Union standard clusters promote communication between member states.
•Regulatory vagueness challenges water quality monitoring and treatment.
•Regulatory inconsistencies create obligations for transboundary management.

We conclude that regulatory inconsistencies emphasize the need for international collaboration on domestic water treatment, environmental management as well as specific water quality standards for the wider range of current-use pesticides, thereby improving global harmonization in support of protecting human health.