EU: New struggle over weed killer glyphosate – Economy

The weed killer glyphosate and the German federal government is a story all its own. Without the consent of Chancellor Angela Merkel, despite the veto of Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks (SPD), then Minister of Agriculture Christian Schmidt of the CSU gave his approval in Brussels in 2017, the approval of the highly controversial active ingredient in plant protection products in the European Union by five years to extend. Without a German vote, the majority would not have come about, it was a huge scandal.

This Friday in Brussels the question was whether glyphosate could be used in the EU for another year. The German Ministry of Agriculture is now led by Green Cem Özdemir – and Germany abstained. You have to understand that first.

The Commission had spoken out in favor of the one-year extension on the grounds that a little more time was needed to be able to carry out a legally reliable assessment of the weed killer. There were delays in the exams. The German Ministry of Agriculture justified its abstention by saying that it did not want to stand in the way of the EU Commission. Ultimately, the decision must stand up in court. On the other hand, the abstention was intended to show that the current delay was viewed critically. Apparently, a large number of comments were received during the public consultation.

Germany no longer wants to allow the use of glyphosate from 2024 onwards

In the vote on Friday, there was no qualified majority for an extension of the approval, so the commission can now decide on its own responsibility. Germany no longer wants to allow the use of glyphosate from 2024 onwards. The phase-out date is already anchored in the applicable Plant Protection Application Ordinance. The pesticide is suspected of causing cancer. Manufacturer Bayer vehemently rejects this.

Greenpeace criticized the Department of Agriculture for abstaining. “It’s a shame that Germany didn’t clearly vote against extending the approval at EU level,” said Greenpeace agricultural expert Christiane Huxdorff. This would also have been an important signal for other EU countries. A Bayer spokesman said: “We remain hopeful that the current glyphosate approval will eventually be extended.” This would allow enough time to complete the ongoing scientific assessment.

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