The use of glyphosate in the European Union remains an extremely controversial subject. While the European Commission proposed renewing the authorization of this herbicide for a period of ten years, EU member states failed to reach an agreement during a vote held recently. A new vote is planned for November, giving the Commission the possibility of modifying its proposal at any time.
France, which is the EU’s leading agricultural power, abstained from the vote, expressing its dissatisfaction with Brussels’ proposal. According to the Minister of Agriculture, Marc Fesneau, the proposal as it was formulated did not correspond to the trajectory decided by France to restrict the use of glyphosate and promote alternatives.
Other countries, such as Austria and Luxembourg, had also expressed their intention to vote against the renewal of the authorization of glyphosate. Belgium and the Netherlands, for their part, preferred to abstain.
The European Commission’s proposal had been amended to reduce the maximum dose per hectare, but this was not enough to convince certain Member States, notably France. According to Christophe Béchu, Minister of Ecological Transition, Brussels’ proposal was still less restrictive than the measures already put in place in France.
The debate around glyphosate is based on the assessment of risks for health and the environment. While the European regulator EFSA believes that the risk associated with glyphosate does not justify a ban, many political and scientific actors question this assessment and call for restricting the use of this herbicide.
In parallel with this discussion on the renewal of the authorization of glyphosate, the EU is negotiating draft legislation aimed at restrictively reducing the use of pesticides. This initiative aims to promote more sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in several herbicides, including Monsanto’s famous Roundup, was classified as a “probable carcinogen” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2015. However, the European Food Safety Authority has stated that it had not identified a “critical area of concern” preventing glyphosate from being authorized, although it acknowledged a lack of data.
The question of authorizing glyphosate in the EU is an important issue that divides member states. While some advocate a total ban on this herbicide, others believe that it is necessary to maintain its use, while imposing protective measures and promoting the development of alternatives. The debate continues and the final decision will be made during the next vote in November. Until then, discussions between member states, notably France and Germany, could make it possible to bring positions closer together and find a consensus.