The EU states have not been able to agree on an extended approval of the controversial weed killer glyphosate. The topic will be back on the agenda in November. The approval expires in December.
There is currently no majority among EU countries for the new approval of the pesticide glyphosate. According to the EU Commission in Brussels today, a panel of experts from member states was unable to agree on its proposal to allow the use of the drug for another ten years.
The proposal now goes to an appeals committee. The Commission proposal is expected to be discussed and voted on there in the first half of November. A decision must be made by December 14, 2023. The current approval of glyphosate in the European Union expires on December 15, 2023.
Changes are still possible
Changes to the Commission’s proposal are possible. If there is neither a qualified majority for nor against the proposal in the appeal committee, the EU Commission can decide independently.
A qualified majority would have been necessary for new approval. This requires the consent of at least 55 percent of the EU states, which at the same time represent at least 65 percent of the EU population. France announced before the vote that it would abstain.
Dispute over possible Health risks
Critics and supporters argue, among other things, whether glyphosate could be carcinogenic. There are also dangers for the environment. A complex investigation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently found no unacceptable dangers, but did point to data gaps in several areas.
According to Efsa, the aspects that have not been conclusively clarified include nutritional risks for consumers and the assessment of risks for aquatic plants. With regard to species protection, the available information did not allow any clear conclusions to be drawn.
Glyphosate is one of the most widely used herbicides worldwide and was developed by the US company Monsanto, which is now owned by Bayer. For the Leverkusen-based pharmaceutical and agricultural chemical group, its Roundup weed killers containing glyphosate are a significant source of revenue. Since the patent expired, there have also been products from other manufacturers with the active ingredient.