The European Commission is proposing to EU countries to extend the authorization of glyphosate, the active ingredient in the much-discussed weedkiller Roundup, by 10 years. The proposal will be formally discussed by the member states for the first time on Friday, with a vote taking place in October. The Belgian position has yet to be determined. The use of Roundup is prohibited in our country for private individuals.
Whether an active substance can be admitted to the market is decided at European level. The individual member states then decide on the authorization for specific products – such as Roundup from chemical company Bayer. Due to the uncertainty about the harmful effects of glyphosate on humans and the environment, a ban on the sale of the substance to and its use by private individuals has been in force in Belgium for a number of years. The ban applies to all synthetic herbicides.
The current authorization of glyphosate came into effect in December 2017 and will run until December 15, 2023, after being extended for a year at the end of last year because the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) needed more time to review all available scientific studies and insights. analyze. This concerns a file of no less than 180,000 pages, good for 2,400 studies.
Because the analysis by EFSA and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) did not reveal any major concerns, the Commission is now proposing to extend the authorization of glyphosate for another 10 years – until 2033. Twice as long as at the start of the current admission in 2017, but five years less than the maximum period of 15 years.
Use by private individuals
If glyphosate is authorized for longer, Member States will have to observe a number of conditions and restrictions when licensing products containing glyphosate, the Commission says in its draft regulation. For example, they will have to explicitly (re)assess use by private individuals and take into account the possible indirect effects on biodiversity. In agricultural areas, a ‘buffer zone’ of 5 to 10 meters around areas treated with glyphosate must be respected. Maximum concentrations must be set for five types of ‘impurities’.
The Commission’s proposal will now go to the 27 Member States, who are expected to vote on it in October. Approval does not require unanimity, but a so-called qualified majority. If no majority is found in favor of the proposal, but also no majority against it, the Commission itself will decide on the permit. It remains to be seen how the Commission will judge its own proposal.
Only for professionals in Belgium
If the European authorization is extended, the Member States will in any case be asked to re-examine all products containing glyphosate that they have authorized. In our country, chemical pesticides such as Roundup are now allowed to be used, but only by professionals.
The file was discussed just Wednesday in the Health Committee of the federal Chamber. Federal Minister of Agriculture David Clarinval pointed out that the “current scientific consensus at EU level is that (the) studies certainly do not give rise to any particular concerns regarding the safety of glyphosate”. He also said that according to his administration, the precautionary principle should not be applied “as the scientific assessment shows that a safe use of the substance is possible.” The EFSA has expressed a number of concerns, but these are not exceptional and have been accepted in the past for other active substances, according to Clarinval.
For the time being, there is no Belgian position on the renewal of glyphosate. According to the current agenda, this would be determined in the core cabinet of October 6. Clarinval is preparing the position and is in consultation with Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke.
LOOK. From weeds in the garden to spiders in the attic: this app recognizes everything
Also read:
NEIGHBOR DISTURBANCES. Yew hedge worth 184,000 euros was destroyed by neighbor: “And we are not even allowed to repair it” (+)
Be careful when removing weeds: “Fire brigade must respond twice a week” (+)
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and never miss anything from the stars.
Yes, I want free unlimited access
2023-09-20 12:22:19
#Europe #controversial #weedkiller #Roundup #ten #years #longer
