Brussels, 13/04/2016 (Agence Europe) - A new episode in the glyphosate saga. In Strasbourg on Wednesday 13 April, the European Parliament took position by simple majority (374 votes in favour, 225 against, 102 abstentions) in favour of the renewal of the authorisation of the controversial herbicide for 7 years instead of the 15 years proposed by the European Commission, and opposed the re-authorisation of its uses for purposes other than professional.
The MEPs want the use of this weedkiller in playgrounds, parks and gardens, the areas close to these parks and gardens and in agricultural production areas just before harvesting to be banned. If there should be any scientific elements in the future to modify the scientific basis on which the authorisation is granted (EFSA opinion), the seven-year authorisation will be reviewed.
Rather than simply oppose the renewal of the authorisation as long as doubts subsist over the potentially carcinogenic and endocrine-disrupting properties of the most-used herbicide in Europe, the Parliament went to work on a compromise, amending the proposed objection of its committee on the environment (see EUROPE 11529 and 11517). The amendments of the EPP group are behind this compromise. The resolution calls upon the Commission to review its copy.
“This is a result which works towards maintaining the competitiveness of the agricultural sector and paying greater attention to the health of the citizens”, Giovanni La Via (EPP, Italy), who chairs the parliamentary committee on the environment, told the press. He added that for the examination of an implementing act, “a simple majority is enough”.
The EP calls upon the Commission to re-examine the authorisation in light of the results of the work underway at the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), aiming to determine whether glyphosate should be classified as an endocrine disruptor. The Commission is also called upon to have an independent study carried out into the general toxicity and classification of glyphosate.
The resolution urges the Commission and EFSA to publish all studies used as a basis by EFSA to conclude that the active substance glyphosate is probably not carcinogenic to humans (EUROPE 11525).
Describing the result as a “victory for Monsanto over the health of European citizens”, Katerina Konecna (GUE/NGL, Czech) expressed her deep disappointment. “Our objection has been distorted. The right-wing political groups have managed to push through their amendment to authorise glyphosate for another seven years, although the substance is carcinogenic to animals and probably to humans”. The Greens/EFA would rather the EP had gone along with the opinion of the committee on the environment, observed Bart Staes (Greens/EFA, Belgium). Greenpeace welcomed the restrictions passed, but added that “these are not sufficient to protect people and the environment”. The NGO HEAL (Heath and Environment Alliance) spoke along the same lines. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)