Environment Committee MEPs have said that the European Commission should not renew glyphosate’s authorisation.
They have said that it should commission an independent review of the herbicide and disclose all the scientific evidence that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
MEPs believe that so long as serious concerns remain about the carcinogenicity and endocrine disruptive properties of the glyphosate, it should not be renewed.
The Committee passed a resolution saying that the Commission should not renew the approval of glyphosate on the EU market for another 15 years, until 2031, without any restrictions as proposed.
The resolution, which was drafted by Czech MEP Pavel Poc, passed by 38 votes to 6, with 18 abstentions.
The fact that we have to resort to a parliamentary objection shows that something has gone wrong in the decision process.
“Glyphosate has been classified as probably carcinogenic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“While the industry claimed that the substance can be completely metabolised, it is now clear that glyphosate residues are everywhere: in the environment, in many products we consume every day, in our bodies.”
Scientific evidence
Poc has asked if the Commission and EFSA will publish the studies on which their proposal is based.
“Why propose authorising glyphosate for another 15 years, the longest period possible? We need those studies to be made public, and we should wait until we have them.
“Any uncertainty must be avoided before proceeding with the approval of a substance that is so broadly used. That is how precautionary principle should be applied,” he said.
The non-binding resolution calls on the EU executive to table a new draft.
MEPs want the European Commission and the EFSA to “immediately disclose all the scientific evidence that has been a basis for the positive classification of glyphosate and the proposed re-authorisation, given the overriding public interest in disclosure”.
They’ve said that the EU Food and Veterinary Office should also be mandated to test and monitor glyphosate residues in foods and drinks.
The motion for a resolution, will be put to a vote at the April 11-14 plenary session in Strasbourg.