Brussels, 03/06/2016 (Agence Europe) - Copa-Cogeca, representing farmers and agri-cooperatives in the EU, met European Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis on Thursday 2 June and called for a 15-year extension to the approval of the highly controversial weedkiller glyphosate.
Andriukaitis confirmed on Wednesday 1 June that he was going to propose to the member states that the current authorisation for glyphosate in the EU be extended for 18 months, until the end of 2017, while awaiting publication of a study currently being prepared by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), which is responsible for classifying substances sold on the EU market (see details in EUROPE 11563). If there were to be no qualified majority decision when this proposal is put to the vote, the Commission would have to take the decision itself before 30 June, when the current approval expires.
Copa-Cogeca Secretary General Pekka Pesonen would not be happy with an 18-month extension. Copa-Cogeca members call for an extension of the approval of glyphosate for the next 15 years. “Farmers need to have cost-effective and sustainable tools available to ensure safe, reliable and affordable food. We support EFSA's work. EFSA gave a positive assessment on glyphosate and this should be followed. Therefore, we call member states to vote in favour of this authorisation”, said Pesonen. Without glyphosate, farmers' livelihoods would be threatened and food production jeopardised as no alternatives exist, he argued. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)