This Thursday, the European Commission authorized the use of glyphosate in the European Union (EU) for another 10 years, after member states failed to reach an agreement to ban its use.
“The Commission, based on comprehensive safety assessments carried out by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), together with EU Member States, will renew the approval of glyphosate for a period of 10 years, subject to certain new conditions and restrictions,” the European Commission said in a statement.
These restrictions, adopted by Brussels, include a ban on the use of the herbicide as a desiccant (spray to dry a crop before harvesting) and the need for certain measures to protect non-target organisms.
Brussels guarantees that, “if evidence emerges indicating that the approval criteria are no longer met, a review of the approval may be initiated at EU level at any time and the Commission will immediately take action to modify or withdraw the approval if necessary.” necessary”. a scientific point of view.”
Glyphosate is one of the most widely used herbicides in the world, but critics point to evidence that it can cause cancer and pose a risk to biodiversity.
In July, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) said it had found “no critical areas of concern” that would prevent the reauthorization of glyphosate, sparking a backlash from environmental groups.
The European Commission proposed its renewal, but the Member States failed, once again, to reach a qualified majority in favor or against the renewal, for ten years, of the use of the herbicide, so it was up to the community executive to decide, now The current authorization expired on December 15.
In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned about the carcinogenic risks of glyphosate, but the European Food Safety Agency and the European Chemicals Agency said they had scientific evidence to classify the herbicide as non-carcinogenic.
After two years of controversy, the herbicide glyphosate (from the North American company Monsanto) received, in 2017, the green light to continue being used in the EU, although for a shorter period than usual: five years instead of the usual 15.
The current marketing authorization for glyphosate in the EU ended on December 15 and, according to this Thursday’s decision, if Member States want to use it after 2033 they will have to submit a renewal application in 2030.
Source: TSF
