The information website by, for and about
the tomato processing industry globally

EU: No decision taken on glyphosate

27/10/2017

François-Xavier Branthôme
Czech Republic,
AMITOM
${printContents} `); printWindow.document.close(); printWindow.focus(); printWindow.print(); printWindow.close(); }); });
MEPs voted for limitations on controversial herbicide use from 2018

The decisive vote due yesterday (25 October) on the reauthorization of the EU license for the controversial herbicide, glyphosate, did not take place – it was postponed.
The European Commission's Standing Committee on Plant Animal Food and Feed (SCGPAFF) did actually meet, “…however, no vote was token," confirmed Anca Paduraru, Commission spokesperson. EU executive has taken note of the positions of the different member state delegations, and "will now reflect' on those.

MEPs call for glyphosate ban
Yesterday saw members of the European Parliament at the Strasbourg plenary back a proposal to phase out glyphosate in the EU within five years.
The MEPs opposed a 10-year extension on the controversial herbicide, instead voting for limitations on its use from 2018 and an outright ban by the end of 2022. 
The Commission originally proposed a 15-year marketing license for glyphosate but, under pressure from MEPs and due to indecision by member states, last June saw it come up with a revised approach, suggesting a license for 18 months.

The EU farming lobby, represented by Copa-Cogeca in Brussels, has continuously urged the EU to approve glyphosate for the customary 15 years. Its secretary-general, Pekka Pesonen, explained that glyphosate provides three main benefits deriving from the single market, said Pesonen. "It is authorised in all member states; it has a wide range of uses adapted to different production conditions; and it is sold at a cost-effective price. At the moment, there is no single alternative fulfilling all these criteria."

Sources: FoodNavigator