2024-09-09 12:52:59
French unions took legal action on August 1 against the European Commission’s decision to renew the glyphosate mandate in the European Union (EU) until 2033, Agence France-Presse (AFP) learned from their lawyer and legal source.
The groups Agir tú l’environnement, Criigen (Independent Research and Information Commission on Genetic Engineering) and the group of anti-pesticide Mayors are demanding the cancellation of the ten-year renewal of the authorization of this controversial herbicide, granted on 28 May November 2023 by Brussels, Corinne Lepage, founder of Criigen, told AFP on Friday.
This decision was made by the European Commission due to the lack of a majority in the vote by the Member States and following a report from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) which assessed that the level of risk does not justify the ‘ban.
The first appeals were rejected
These three French NGOs and, in parallel, the collective managed by the Pesticide Network (PAN) Europe, including Générations futures, have raised urgent requests for review with the Commission, before the announced reference to the courts. PAN Europe points to that “The approval process ignores studies showing a high risk of cancer, a dangerous death rate among insects, and significant effects on the brain resulting from the use of glyphosate”. Unsurprisingly, two arrests were made at the beginning of the summer, AFP learned from Ms. Lepage and François Veillerette, spokesperson for Générations futures.
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in many very common herbicides, was classified in 2015 “probable carcinogen” by the research center of the World Health Organization (WHO) – the conclusion is confirmed in 2021 by the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm).
“No application of the precautionary principle”opposed Mrs. Lepage, while France withdrew from the market in 2019 Roundup Pro 360, a herbicide containing glyphosate produced by Monsanto. “If it is banned in Europe, how do you want to put together a scientific case that there is no problem? »he was angry.
The Commission’s response is expected in mid-October before the expected hearing in 2025, added Ms. Lepage. PAN Europe has not filed a lawsuit for reasons of procedural delays, according to Mr. Veillerette, but different procedures should be joined.
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