2023-11-16 18:54:15
In recent years, Paris has restricted the use of glyphosate in the country, notably banning it for individuals and communities or regulating the doses used by farmers.
The European Commission announced on Thursday that it would renew the authorization of glyphosate in the EU for 10 years, following a vote by member states which paved the way for this decision on this controversial herbicide.
To support its decision, the European executive highlights the report from a European regulator estimating that the level of risk does not justify banning glyphosate.
Also readRenewal of the authorization of glyphosate: what consequences for France?
The current authorization of this substance in the EU, renewed in 2017 for five years and then extended for an additional year, expires on December 15. In the absence of a majority within the 27 on this question, it was up to the Commission to decide.
«The Commission, together with EU Member States, will now proceed to renew the approval of glyphosate for a period of ten years, subject to certain new conditions and restrictions», She indicates in a press release.
It provides for some safeguards and a ban on the use of glyphosate for desiccation (spreading to dry a crop before harvest).
Also read: Why the European Health Agency considered that glyphosate was not dangerous to health
France and Germany abstain
Glyphosate, the active substance in several herbicides – including Roundup from Monsanto (Bayer), widely used around the world – was classified in 2015 as “probable carcinogen» by the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization.
Conversely, in July, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) indicated that it had not identified “area of critical concern» in humans, animals and the environment likely to prevent the authorization of the herbicide, while recognizing a lack of data.
The German group Bayer, which acquired Monsanto in 2018, welcomed the Commission’s announcement. “This new authorization allows us to continue providing farmers across the European Union with important technology for integrated weed management“, said a spokesperson.
As in a first vote on October 13, the qualified majority required to validate or reject the Commission’s proposal – i.e. 15 states out of 27, representing at least 65% of the European population – was not reached on Thursday.
Seven countries, including France – the EU’s leading agricultural power -, Germany, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands abstained, while 17 voted for, and three opposed ( Luxembourg, Croatia, Austria), according to diplomatic sources.
France is not “not against the principle of renewal of the molecule” more “regret» that the Commission did not take into account its proposals aimed at restricting the use of the herbicide, indicated the Ministry of Agriculture.
“Unacceptable”
In recent years, Paris has restricted the use of glyphosate in the country, notably banning it for individuals and communities or regulating the doses used by farmers.
The European executive explained that it had decided to maintain its initial proposal, without making any changes, due to the deadline of December 15. “The Commission considered that it was no longer possible to reach an agreement within the deadline given to us to take a decision», indicated its spokesperson, Éric Mamer.
An argument contested by Macronist MEP Pascal Canfin (Renew Europe, centrists and liberals), president of the Environment Committee of the European Parliament.
Also read: Glyphosate, deemed not harmful to health after years of controversy
«The Commission had plenty of time (…) to propose another text, something more balanced which could have had the support of Germany and France“, he declared to AFP, judging “politically unacceptable» for not having done it.
Austria, which voted against the proposal, voiced its criticism, accusing the EU executive of “ignoring the effects on biodiversity and our health” why “toxic product». «We will continue to fight resolutely against the continuation of this harmful weedkiller», Reacted Minister of the Environment Leonore Gewessler (Greens).
The NGOs Foodwatch and Générations futures judged that the renewal of the authorization would “once again against the precautionary principle as evidence of the danger of glyphosate for humans and the environment continues to accumulate».
Even if the active substance is approved at EU level, each state remains responsible for authorizing products containing glyphosate. And could therefore adopt restrictions according to local specificities and potential effects on the environment, within the framework of the criteria set by Brussels.
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