The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) will postpone its final scientific opinion on the re-evaluation of glyphosate by one year, it announced on Tuesday 10 May. This scientific opinion was initially expected this summer for a decision on the possible renewal of the authorisation or its refusal before the end of the year.
EFSA is citing too many responses to the public consultation it launched in September 2021 on the initial assessment, in conjunction with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), which is responsible for the classification of this controversial pesticide, authorised in the EU until 15 December 2022 (see EUROPE 12798/14).
It also refers to the large number of responses received from the industrial applicants for renewal (the Glyphosate Renewal Group) to its requests for further information and “which need to be carefully considered”.
EU Commissioner for Health Stella Kyriakides, “deeply concerned by this delay”, has “asked the agencies to do their utmost to complete their work as soon as possible, while ensuring the highest standards of scientific integrity expected of (these) agencies”, according to the Commission services.
Pointing out on Wednesday 11 May that the one-year postponement means that the European Commission and the Member States could try to decide on a one-year extension of the authorisation of glyphosate, the NGO PAN Europe warned the Commission against such a possibility.
“EFSA has received more than enough evidence to quickly produce a statement on the unacceptable risk to human health and the environment. The independent science is clear: glyphosate is genotoxic, a probable carcinogen, and has unacceptable negative effects on the environment”, according to the NGO.
ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee will discuss the hazard classification of glyphosate at the end of May. It will examine carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity and environmental classification. EFSA indicates that it will consider the opinion published by ECHA between the end of July and mid-August 2022. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)