The challenges of renewing the authorization of glyphosate in the European Union
The question of renewing the authorization of glyphosate in the European Union has once again sparked intense debates among Member States. Indeed, during a closed-door vote by member state representatives, no qualified majority was reached, making the fate of this controversial herbicide uncertain.
The European Commission’s proposal was to renew the authorization of glyphosate until December 2033, after receiving a report from a European regulator emphasizing that the risks associated with glyphosate were not high enough to justify a ban on this substance. .
However, France, Germany and other countries abstained from the vote, expressing dissatisfaction with the Commission’s proposal. France, in particular, stressed that the ten-year proposal without conditions did not correspond to its own trajectory aimed at reducing the use of glyphosate and favoring more environmentally friendly alternatives.
The issue of glyphosate also divides scientists and experts, with divergent opinions on the potential risks to human health and the environment. Glyphosate has been classified as a “probable carcinogen” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, while the European Food Safety Authority has not identified any “areas of critical concern” that could justify banning it. ‘herbicide.
Faced with this situation, the European Commission has the possibility of modifying its proposal at any time before the new vote scheduled for November. If no qualified majority in favor of the text is obtained, the European executive can take a unilateral decision to extend the authorization, unless a qualified majority of member states opposes it.
This issue also raises the need for stricter regulations on the use of pesticides in the European Union. As draft EU legislation to forcefully reduce pesticide use is under negotiation, it is crucial to strike a balance between protecting the environment and human health on the one hand, and the needs of farmers and European agriculture on the other hand.
In conclusion, the renewal of the authorization of glyphosate in the European Union remains pending, with divergent positions among Member States. This question raises important health and environmental issues, as well as the need to find viable and environmentally friendly alternatives to reduce the use of pesticides in European agriculture.