European Union again refuses to re-authorize glyphosate

Date:06-27-2016

In the European Union’s Appeal Committee, member states have again refused to re-authorize glyphosate.

France and Malta voted against, while Germany, Italy, Portugal, Austria, Luxembourg, Greece, and Bulgaria abstained.

The decision will now revert to the EU Commission.

The Appeal Committee vote was on the Commission’s proposal for an extension of current authorisation for 12–18 months, until the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) gives its opinion on the carcinogenic qualities of glyphosate and not later than 31 December 2017, European Commission spokesman Enrico Brivio said.

The Appeal Committee was activated after member states did not manage to reach a qualified majority in favour of the Commission’s proposal.