The European Commission has announced its approval of the use of glyphosate, a controversial chemical substance, across the European Union for an additional decade. This decision comes after member states failed to reach an agreement, and the Commission exercised its authority to approve its proposal. The renewal is subject to new conditions and restrictions, including prohibiting pre-harvest use as a desiccant and implementing measures to protect non-target organisms.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) conducted comprehensive safety assessments, with the EFSA stating in a July assessment that there were “no critical areas of concern” for the renewal. While the approval is granted at the EU level, each country retains the authority to decide on the use of glyphosate nationally.
Glyphosate, introduced in the 1970s as a herbicide to eliminate weeds in agricultural crops and public spaces, has been controversial since the World Health Organization’s cancer agency concluded in 2015 that it was likely carcinogenic to humans. The Commission emphasized that the EFSA reviewed thousands of studies during its assessment, and it committed to launching a new review and taking immediate action if new evidence emerges that challenges the approval criteria.
NGOs, including the Pesticide Action Network and the Health and Environment Alliance, expressed concerns over the decision, citing the potential health risks associated with glyphosate. They argue that the Commission’s renewal plans go against the EU Pesticide Law, which calls for a precautionary principle when there is no clear scientific consensus on potential harm.
The Commission’s introduced conditions and restrictions include the prohibition of glyphosate use as a desiccant and the requirement for member states to enhance risk assessments, considering biodiversity and wildlife. Governments must establish maximum application rates based on these risk assessments and implement risk mitigation measures to protect non-target organisms and the environment.
