On Wednesday 25 November, on behalf of public health and the environment, the European Parliament opposed Commission plans to authorise one biocidal active substance - carbendazim - and to extend the authorisation of 27 toxic pesticide active substances, including chlorotoluron and dicamba.
The results of the two objection votes were made known on Thursday morning:
- MEPs objected by 458 votes to 219 with 19 abstentions to the Draft Implementing Regulation approving carbendazim as an existing active substance for use in biocidal products of product types 7 (film preservatives) and 10 (masonry preservatives) for a period of three years.
MEPs argue that the use of this substance “could lead to unacceptable risks to the environment and human health”, in breach of Directive 98/8/EC on the authorisation of biocidal products.
Carbendazim meets the criteria for classification as a category 1B mutagen and category 1B substances toxic for reproduction.
MEPs also point to the numerous studies on the disrupting effects on the endocrine system. They consider that, although no conclusions could be drawn, it is “very worrying that the Commission continues to ignore the precautionary principle”.
- The second objection, voted by 425 votes to 231, with 40 abstentions, concerns the extension of the approval of the active substances “amidosulfuron”, “bifenox”, “chlorotoluron”, “clofentezine”, “clomazone”, “cypermethrin”, “daminozide”, “deltamethrin”, “dicamba”, “difenoconazole”, “diflufenican”, “fenoxaprop-P”, “fenpropidin”, “fludioxonil”, “flufenacet”, “fosthiazate”, “indoxacarb”, “lenacil”, “MCPA”, “MCPB”, “nicosulfuron”, “paraffin oils”, “picloram”, “prosulfocarb”, “sulfur”, “triflusulfuron” and “tritosulfuron”.
In particular, MEPs point out that chlorotoluron is a substance that is highly toxic to aquatic organisms, with long-term effects which can cause cancer and which are also associated with an endocrine disruptor in some scientific studies.
The Commission has been asked to withdraw its implementing regulations. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)