An unsurprising position but very far from Emmanuel Macron’s commitments in 2017. France abstained this Thursday in the vote on the authorization of the marketing of glyphosate, a highly controversial herbicide in the European Union. A position loaded with symbols within the EU while France is the main agricultural power.
Glyphosate falls by 30% in France
In the absence of an agreement, it was the European Commission that took control and authorized the use of this product for the next ten years. On October 13, in a previous vote, Paris had already abstained.
In 2020, the French health agency Anses had announced progressive restrictions for its use in agriculture. Its use for individuals has already been prohibited since 2019.
This close friend of François Bayrou, however, clarified after this Thursday’s vote “wanting to quickly reduce its use and regulate the use of the molecule, to limit its impacts.”
A substance classified as “probable carcinogen”
It is clear that the government is careful to show some balance on the glyphosate issue. And with good reason: the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization (WHO) had classified glyphosate as “probable carcinogen” in 2015.
This active substance present in several herbicide products, including Monsanto OverviewIt is used throughout the world for the treatment of weeds, particularly in arboriculture, viticulture, but also in the maintenance of green and industrial spaces.
The voice of Paris and its abstention count all the more since demography has a strong influence in deliberations at the European level. To validate or reject a Commission proposal, a qualified majority is required. It requires the votes of at least 15 member states representing 65% of the EU population, or 447 million inhabitants.
Regulate “more strictly the uses” of glyphosate
Suffice it to say that the abstention of France, with its 68 million inhabitants at stake, like that of Germany, along the same lines, which alone represents 20% of the European population, had every chance of blocking a possible vote.
Other countries abstained, such as Italy. Seventeen voted in favor, including all Eastern European countries, and three opposed, including Luxembourg. The French government, however, indicated that it had asked the European Commission to regulate “more strictly” the uses of this herbicide.
However, Emmanuel Macron had promised upon his arrival at the Elysée to ban glyphosate “within three years” and had repeatedly explained that he wanted to take this issue to the European level.
In January 2022, the Head of State admitted “not having been successful” with glyphosate, admitting having made the “mistake” at the beginning of the five-year period of having believed that France was capable of getting rid of this herbicide alone without the other Europeans. countries.
“A high long-term risk for mammals”
“The assessment of the impact of glyphosate on human health, animal health and the environment has not identified areas of critical concern,” the European Food Safety Authority said in its conclusions in July 2023.
Several countries have banned glyphosate in recent years, including Luxembourg in 2018, which was ultimately forced by a court decision to reauthorize it. Mexico committed in 2021 to a progressive ban on glyphosate until a total ban starting March 31, 2024.
Source: BFM TV
