NGOs sue over re-approval of glyphosate – Euractiv
A coalition of European NGOs has announced their intention to take the European Commission to the EU’s highest court over the 10-year re-authorization of glyphosate, a commonly used weedkiller. The decision comes after the Commission rejected a request by Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe and five other NGOs for an internal review of the re-authorization.
In November 2023, EU member states were unable to reach a majority decision on extending the authorization of glyphosate, leading the Commission to allow the substance to be sold on the EU market for another decade. The NGOs argue that the EU executive violated EU rules by ignoring studies on the potential harm of glyphosate to humans and the environment, a claim that the Commission denies.
According to the NGOs, the risk assessments conducted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) were flawed, with independent scientific findings being disregarded in favor of industry studies. Both EFSA and ECHA have defended their assessments, stating that glyphosate is not carcinogenic or genotoxic.
The legal process initiated by the NGOs at the EU’s General Court is expected to take approximately two years. Meanwhile, the NGOs have called on EU member states to ban or restrict glyphosate in their territories to protect farmers from the substance’s potential harm.
SOURCE
John Peterson graduated with a degree in Agricultural Sciences from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. His specialization is in sustainable crop production and soil health management. John is passionate about integrating modern technology with traditional farming methods to enhance productivity while preserving the environment. He currently works as a consultant, helping farmers adopt sustainable practices.