A majority of MEPs think that it is unacceptable that bentazone, a pesticide currently used in agriculture, has its authorisation extended in the EU until 2032. This is because the safety of this potentially toxic pesticide that affects the human reproduction system has not been demonstrated effectively.
Therefore, on Wednesday 23 November in Strasbourg, Parliament vetoed the European Commission proposal by 361 votes (289 against, 28 abstentions).
MEPs point out that Bentazone’s consumer risk assessment has not been finalised and that data are missing, particularly on its potential for groundwater exposure. Moreover, the resolution of objection points out that a European Food Safety Authority peer review proposes classifying Bentazone as having suspected reproductive toxicity potential for humans.
Parliament therefore calls on the Commission to request and assess the relevant missing information before deciding on renewal of the authorisation for this active substance whose authorisation expires on 30 June 2017 in the EU (see EUROPE 11663). At a legal level, however, this is a non-binding objection.
The European Ombudsman has already requested the Commission halt it's proposals for authorising or renewing the authorisation of this pesticide, because not all scientific data proving its safety with regard to consumers’ health and the safety of the environment are available. According to the Ombudsman, this practice is, in any case, an example of poor administration by the Commission (see EUROPE 11496). (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)