About: glyphosate ban
Farmers hail new transparency rules in food safety, still want science-based decisions
EU farmers have welcomed the European Commission’s new rules on transparency in food safety assessments. However, it is still uncertain to which extent this will ensure that future decisions will actually be based on science.
Commission efforts to build trust in food safety receives mixed reviews
The European Commission presented on 11 April a proposal aiming to restore public trust in scientific studies on food safety, suggesting more transparency in decision-making and greater involvement of member states’ experts.
Brussels government takes Commission to EU court over glyphosate
The government of the Brussels region has decided to file a complaint against the European Commission with the European Court of Justice (ECJ) over its decision to re-authorise glyphosate, the most widely used pesticide in the world.
Greece authorises Monsanto’s Roundup for five years
The Greek ministry of agriculture officially approved on Tuesday (6 March) the re-authorisation of the world's most commonly used weedkiller, Monsanto’s Roundup, which contains controversial chemical substance glyphosate.
France to exempt farmers from glyphosate ban when no alternative
France will exempt farmers from a ban on using the weed-killer glyphosate in three years time where there is no credible alternative to the most widely used pesticide in the world, President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday (25 January).
Six member states call for glyphosate alternatives, exit plan
Six member states that opposed the re-authorisation glyphosate, the world's most commonly used weedkiller, sent a letter to the European Commission asking it to conduct a study as well as look into alternatives to the controversial substance.
Merkel ‘angry’ with agriculture minister who voted in favour of glyphosate
German Chancellor Angela Merkel rapped her agriculture minister on Tuesday (28 November) for violating the government line in approving a controversial weedkiller at a key EU meeting, sparking a political storm and angering European allies.
Glyphosate or nuclear: What to do beyond scaring
France should show political courage, embrace another vision and stop opposing the renewal of glyphosate’s authorisation in the EU, argues Cécile Philippe.
MEPs divided on the citizens’ initiative to ban glyphosate
More than a million European citizens have signed a petition to ban glyphosate, a pesticide classed as a probable carcinogen. In the face of European concerns, MEPs are divided. EURACTIV France reports.
WHO agency isolated in glyphosate fight
The WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is standing firmly by its opinion that glyphosate, the world’s most commonly used weedkiller, is probably carcinogenic to humans despite a new large-scale study suggesting the opposite.
Market disruption fears grow as glyphosate ban looms
The Standing Committee on Plant Animal Food and Feed met today (9 November) to discuss renewing the approval of the active substance glyphosate, which is produced by Monsanto and others, but no qualified majority among member states was reached again.
European farmers say glyphosate deadlock shows mistrust in EU bodies
EU farmers’ union Copa-Cogeca has rejected the Commission’s revised proposal for a five year re-authorisation of glyphosate, claiming that such a proposal would “undermine” credibility in the EU institutions. Instead, they suggest a full 15-year re-approval.
British farmers’ boss: I hope outside the EU, decisions will be science-based
The leader of Britain's farming union, Meurig Raymond, hopes that the agriculture-related decisions made in London after his country leaves the EU will be more science-based and less emotional than is currently the case in Europe.
Pro-glyphosate states refuse to back re-approval of less than 10 years
The EU member states led by the UK, which are in favor of glyphosate’s re-authorisation for at least ten years, refused at a meeting today (25) to support the renewal of the substance for a less period of time, EURACTIV has learnt.
French MEP: Difficult but possible to find glyphosate alternative in 5 years
It will be really difficult but not impossible to find an alternative to the controversial glyphosate weedkiller by the end of 2022, French MEP Angélique Delahaye told EURACTIV in Strasbourg after European Parliament approved a five-year phase-out.
More than 1.3 million demand EU glyphosate ban
Activists handed the EU a petition signed by more than 1.3 million people on Monday (23 October) calling for a European ban on the weedkiller glyphosate, produced by chemicals giant Monsanto and others, over fears it causes cancer.
Italy still opposes glyphosate but mulls five-year extension
The Italian government insists that the re-authorisation of glyphosate, the world's most commonly used weedkiller, be rejected. However, sources told EURACTIV.com that Rome is exploring the scenario of a five-year extension for an adjustment period.
EU farmers ready campaigns to highlight lack of alternative to glyphosate
European farmers are raising the pressure on the European Commission and the member states to extend the licence of weed-killer glyphosate as there is no alternative on the market and a ban could increase overhead costs, they claim.
Key glyphosate hearing to take place in heated atmosphere
The European Parliament’s environment and agriculture committees are holding on Wednesday (11 October) a highly anticipated public hearing on the so-called “Monsanto papers" and glyphosate, which is expected to further heat up the debate on the controversial chemical substance.
EU agencies accused of cherry-picking evidence in glyphosate assessment
Lawyers on the “Monsanto papers” case accused the EU agencies responsible for food safety and chemicals of “wilfully sawing off certain studies” in their risk assessment of glyphosate.
Andriukaitis: ‘Enough’ with member states hiding behind the Commission on glyphosate
The member states should stop hiding behind or even pointing the figure at the European Commission regarding the re-authorisation of the world’s most commonly used weedkiller, glyphosate, EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis told EURACTIV.com.
Bringing sanity back to Europe’s glyphosate debate
For glyphosate, the active ingredient in the world’s most widely used weed killer, 6 November will be a date with destiny, writes Pieter Cleppe.
Suicide plagues French farmers, study shows
French farmers are at higher risk of suicide than the rest of the population, a new study has found, describing falling incomes and increasing environmental regulation as risk factors.