European Commission Delays Glyphosate Re-License Decision to ‘Discuss’ with Member States

Posted on May 17 2017 - 7:07pm by Sustainable Pulse

The Great Glyphosate Rebellion by European Union member states is set to continue with the support of civil society groups all over Europe, after the European Commission delayed their expected decision to re-license the World’s most used herbicide for 10 years.

An EU Commission spokesperson, speaking to EURACTIV, insisted that Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis only shared an information note Tuesday with the College of Commissioners, not a formal proposal.

“On the basis of the information note, the College agreed to the approach of restarting the discussions with member states about the possible renewal of approval of glyphosate for 10 years,” said Anca Paduraru, EU Commission spokesperson for Health, Food Safety and Energy Union.

Sustainable Pulse Director Henry Rowlands stated Wednesday: “This move by the European Commission shows that they do not have the support of the EU member states to re-license glyphosate for 10 years. The Great Glyphosate Rebellion continues and will continue until the use of glyphosate is phased out and alternative non-toxic methods of weed control for farmers are given serious EU funding.”

THE GLYPHOSATE BOX

Glyphosate Residue Free Certification

Glyphosate in Popular American Foods

1o Things You Need to Know about Glyphosate

Glyphosate in Numbers

“Glyphosate is not a routine case,” Paduraru told EURACTIV. “10 years is a starting point for debate and then it’s up to the member states to decide,” she said.

Paduraru added that the Commission would work with the member states to find a solution that enjoys the “largest possible support” and ensures a high level of protection of human health and the environment, based on available scientific data.

“The approval of glyphosate-based Plant Protection Products (PPPs, e.g. pesticides), as well as their conditions of use, remain the responsibility of member states,” she noted, adding that the last year’s decision, which recommended member states apply stricter conditions of use on glyphosate-based products, remains in place.

In June 2016 a European Commission proposal for a temporary license extension of 18 months failed to receive support from the European Union members states.

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading...
About the Author

Sustainable Pulse is a global news outlet covering sustainable agriculture, GMOs and pesticides.

1 Comment so far. Feel free to join this conversation.

  1. Sander Dercksen May 17, 2017 at 22:03 - Reply

    No need for any herbicides, pesticides nor funghisides at all not even for farmers.
    Change agro-industry into sustainable farming based on healthy soil a d a healthy planet. Tuis eBay farming is all about.
    Agro industry could be moves to vertical indoor cultivation in closed circuits?
    Homoeconomicus might better head for Mars .. (Sorry marsmen, just kidding)

Leave A Response