There is heated debate about the pesticide glyphosate. Critics point to dangers for people and the environment. Manufacturer Bayer and many farmers see it differently. A final decision is imminent.
According to a proposal from the EU Commission, the approval of the controversial weed killer glyphosate could be extended. According to the document that has now been posted online, the drug could be used for another ten years. The draft will be discussed with the EU states on Friday.
“Our proposal is based on scientifically sound information,” said a spokesman for the EU Commission. According to the documents, certain conditions are intended for use, such as risk reduction measures. The aim is to prevent glyphosate from being blown away heavily during use.
The EU Commission is thus opposing demands from Germany. “As long as it cannot be ruled out that glyphosate harms biodiversity, the approval in the EU should expire,” said Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens). A diverse and intact flora and fauna is the prerequisite for secure harvests. He will now exchange ideas with partners in the EU.
Dangers of glyphosate are hotly debated
Glyphosate is approved throughout the EU until December 15th. Environmental protection organizations see glyphosate as a danger to people and the environment; the manufacturer Bayer vehemently rejects this. At the end of July, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a study in which it found no unacceptable risks, but saw data gaps in several areas.
For the investigation, Efsa said it looked at thousands of studies and scientific articles over a three-year process. The aspects that have not been conclusively clarified include nutritional risks for consumers and the assessment of risks for aquatic plants, as Efsa announced. With regard to species protection, the available information did not allow any clear conclusions to be drawn.
Bayer welcomed the EU Commission’s draft regulation. It is based on the “convincing scientifically based conclusions” of Efsa. “Bayer is of the opinion that the decision of the Member States should be based on the scientific conclusions of the relevant authorities and lead to a vote for a renewed approval of the active ingredient glyphosate,” the company emphasized.
Germany wants to phase out the use of pesticides
Germany no longer wants to allow glyphosate from the beginning of 2024. Even if approval is extended at EU level, the drug could be banned in Germany.
The CDU agricultural expert Norbert Lins described the Commission’s proposal as an important step for agriculture. “Rarely has an active ingredient been examined as closely as glyphosate,” he said. “The health of millions of Europeans is in danger of being put at risk for another 10 years,” said Green MP Jutta Paulus. “Industry’s interests clearly take precedence over health and the environment,” said Angeliki Lysimachou from the organization Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe. She gets support from the ranks of the SPD. The EU Parliament voted in favor of banning the substance in 2017, said agricultural politician Maria Noichl. “I stand behind this decision.”
The decision on the extension in the responsible committee, which also includes representatives of the EU states, is not expected before mid-October. A qualified majority is required for a decision. A Commission official said that if there was no majority for an extension on October 13, an appeals committee would be needed, which would then meet in November. If a qualified majority speaks out against the project, the Commission cannot extend the approval. If there is no majority for or against approval, the EU Commission could, according to the information, decide independently about an extension.
Source: Stern
