Not quite a brush-off but very nearly. After some 30 MEPs called on 24 March for it to protect citizens by not renewing the licence of glyphosate, a pesticide by Monsanto, (see EUROPE 11753), the European Commission has let it be known that, in its view, the opinion of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) that glyphosate is “probably not carcinogenic for humans” should not be called into question, and nor, indeed, should the EU regulations.
EUROPE has acquired a copy of the response, dated 19 April, from Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to the MEPs. In it, Juncker says that the Commission took a very prudent approach in renewing the licence until the end of 2017 and points out that Parliament, itself, backed renewal of the licence, subject to restrictions that the Commission took into account.
Parliament took a clear position and, in the resolution that it adopted in April, suggested that the Commission grant renewal, Juncker says.
He states that, in view of the in-depth examination of all the available information by the European Food Safety Authority and the European Chemicals Agency, there is no reason to cast doubt the scientific evaluations or the conclusions on glyphosate in the EU.
Juncker states that, once the final opinion is received from ECHA, discussions will resume between the Commission and the member states with regard to possible renewal of approval, there being a requirement that a decision be taken within six months of receipt of that opinion or by the end of 2017.
MEP Eric Andrieu (S&D, France), with the backing of his fellow group member Marc Tarabella (Belgium), is continuing to call for a Parliamentary committee of inquiry to be set up to investigate Monsanto’s business practices and the danger posed by its products (see EUROPE 11772). Within the S&D Group, talks are continuing on preparing this request, which is supported by the Greens/EFA Group. It will have to be decided, for example, which would be the better option – a special committee or a committee of inquiry. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)