2023-10-13 09:32:00
In consultation, Paris and Berlin decided to abstain at the EU Council which must decide whether or not to renew the use of glyphosate for 10 years. The authorization of this herbicide expires on December 15. The abstention of France and Germany is equivalent to a negative vote since a qualified majority of positive votes is required for glyphosate to be extended.
The European Commission’s proposal for a further 10-year extension is based on the findings of a pre-report of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), published on July 26. According to this report, glyphosate does not present “a matter of critical concern”. In its proposal, the Commission has accompanied the use of this herbicide with precautions for use.
Among the 27 Member States, glyphosate remains controversial. Austria and Luxembourg oppose its renewal. Belgium, like France and Germany, is expected to abstain due to differences between the seven parties in the government coalition. This is also the case for the Netherlands. Just taking into account the French, German, Belgian and Dutch abstentions and the refusal of Austria and Luxembourg, the qualified majority has not been reached. Indeed, at this stage, 57.68% of the population would be in favor, therefore below the 65% threshold.
An outcome that delights Pascal Canfin, the president (Renew) of the Environment Committee of the European Parliament. The French Minister of Agriculture, Marc Fesneau, is going through difficult times. In September, he said he was in favor of keeping the herbicide on the market. It is rumored that his days at the Ministry of Agriculture are numbered.
#France #Germany #abstain