Debate over the German vote in support of the proposal for a five-year renewal of glyphosate and its impact on the European decision is growing (see EUROPE 11913).
Just as the assessment of the planned take-over of Monsanto by Bayer is taking place and in the wake of revelations that German Agriculture Minister Christian Schmidt, according to Chancellor Angela Merkel, did not follow the federal government line, German member of the European Parliament’s environment and agriculture committees Martin Haüsling (Greens/EFA) called on Wednesday 29 November for “any new government to redress the balance”, arguing that re-authorisation would “poison confidence in Europe”.
“Minister Christian Schmidt infringed governmental cooperation rules because Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks opposed” the Commission proposal, Haüsling says in a press release, speaking of “a blow against the environment and consumers making Germany the one who, less than gloriously, tipped the balance” in favour of authorisation in the EU. (Original version in French Aminata Niang)