The vote on a new authorization for the sale of the herbicide glyphosate for the next 15 years was canceled today. Several EU countries have expressed concerns about warnings from the World Health Organization (WHO), which classifies glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic" [1">.
The authorization of the most commonly used herbicide in the world, known for one of its trade names - RoundUp, in the EU expires at the end of June. EC tried to get the green light from national experts for a new permit, despite scientific evidence showing that glyphosate poses a serious threat to health and environment [2">.
Following warnings from the WHO, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has undertaken the task to explore more widespread effects of glyphosate on human health [3">. This process will be finalized towards the end of 2017. If ECHA finds that glyphosate can cause cancer, reproductive problems or damage to the hormonal system, European law foresees the ban for sale of plant protection products containing glyphosate.
The expert on food policies of "Greenpeace" EU Franziska Achterberg said: "Rushing issuing a new permit now, without waiting evaluation of the European Chemicals Agency, is like skydiving without being checked the own equipment. While scientific views conflict, glyphosate should not be authorized in the EU. Member States would be better advised not to rely on it. "
notes:
[1"> After the Agency for Cancer Research at WHO (IARC) expressed caution regarding glyphosate in November 2015, the European Authority for Food Safety said there was no scientific evidence of a link with cancer. Ninety-six independent scientists, including some of those who participated in the review carried out by WHO announced evaluation of EFSA as "unsupported by evidence"
[2"> Leading scientists recently concluded that "regulatory assessments of tolerable daily intake in terms of glyphosate in the US and the EU are based on outdated scientific evidence." They also stress the need for further study of the effects of glyphosate on human hormonal system and noted that there are many environmental problems related to glyphosate
[3"> ECHA will evaluate carcinogenic, germ cell mutagenicity and toxicity of glyphosate
Renewal of the authorization for glyphosate was canceled on account for health concerns
