EU can't reach decision on prolonging the use of chemical herbicide glyphosate
A decision on whether to authorize the use of the controversial chemical herbicide glyphosate in the European Union for at least 10 more years has been delayed after member countries failed to agree
BRUSSELS — A European Union decision on whether to authorize the use of the controversial chemical herbicide glyphosate in the 27-nation bloc for at least 10 more years was delayed for a month after member countries failed to agree on Friday.
The chemical, which is widely used in the 27-nation bloc, is approved on the EU market until mid-December.
Representatives of the EU’s executive arm and member countries voted Friday in favor of renewing its authorization until 2033, despite protests from environmental groups.
But to be adopted, the 10-year extension proposed by the European Commission required a “qualified majority,” defined as 55% of the 27 members representing at least 65% of the total EU population of some 450 million people. Several member states abstained, and that was not achieved.
The European Commission is now expected to amend its proposal before another vote takes place next month. Ultimately, if no consensus is found, the Commission will have the final say.
Green members of the European Parliament welcomed the delay and urged member states to vote for a complete ban of glyphosate.
“It is irresponsible to again renew the authorization of the use of glyphosate,” said Bas Eickhout, the vice-chair of the Parliament's environment committee. «This would give the big agri a blank check to earn billions by selling a pesticide for which there are still big gaps in knowledge about the effects on our health, and at the same time poses large risks for European biodiversity.”
Over the past decade, glyphosate, used in
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