The EU row over whether the widely used herbicide glyphosate should be banned completely or re-licensed for use has flared up again, with the Commission tentatively proposing a 10-year approval, to the outrage of opponents.
Strict, Europe-wide conditions are currently imposed on the use of glyphosate-based herbicides (notable Roundup), and the World Health Organisation has declared the chemical to be a probable human carcinogen. But Europe's own advisory body on chemical safety has ruled that glyphosate should not be considered a danger to humans.
Now the Commission has proposed, as a 'starting point for debate' that a 10-year approval for glyphosate should be considered. The move was immediately opposed by the Green/socialist grouping of MEPs, who contend that the Commission's reasons for the proposal are not transparent, and that many of the relevant documents have not been made public. Meanwhile, NGOs have accused the pesticide industry of 'buying science' to persuade law-makers to continue licensing the lucrative product.
Read more on Euractiv here.
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Published Thursday 25 May 2017
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
