03.03.2016 | permalink
EU prepares to brush aside glyphosate herbicide safety concerns
On 8 March, a meeting of EU government experts in Brussels is expected to support the European Commission’s proposal to grant a new 15-year lease to glyphosate, the world’s most used weedkiller, despite World Health Organisation (WHO) cancer warnings.
EU governments will only restrict its use in pesticide products that also contain a chemical called polyethoxylated (POE)-tallowamine. These products are already banned in Germany, one of Europe’s largest pesticides markets. European decision-makers are also expected to endorse the Commission’s request that Monsanto and other pesticide companies produce scientific evidence, by 1 August 2016, proving that glyphosate does not interfere with the human hormone system. However, the EU licence for glyphosate is expected to be renewed ahead of this deadline.
- Greenpeace EU Unit: EU prepares to brush aside glyphosate herbicide safety concerns
- Reuters: EU seen approving weed-killer ingredient glyphosate amid cancer row
- The Greens | European Free Alliance: Toxic substances: Glyphosate health risks ignored as Commission proposes long reapproval for use in EU
- Environmental Health: Concerns over use of glyphosate-based herbicides and risks associated with exposures: a consensus statement
- GMWatch: GMO Myths and Truths updated, condensed, and available as a book
- Pavel Poc: GLYPHOSATE: YES or NO?