Brussels backs 10-year extension for EU glyphosate use

The European Commission confirmed on Wednesday that it will recommend re-approving the use of glyphosate in the EU for 10 years.

Transcript

00:00 The European Commission is recommending the EU member states extend the authorization

00:05 of the controversial herbicide glyphosate for another 10 years.

00:10 The proposal is based on an analysis by the European Food Safety Authority, which did

00:15 not identify critical areas of concern for human or animal health.

00:20 The Commission says that the recommendation is based on solid scientific information.

00:25 "At the same time, we have to realize that science never stops, and we have to continue

00:32 to monitor closely all scientific developments. We have tried to find a balance between, on

00:43 one hand, the mass of scientific data that supports the decision that the Commission

00:50 has made, and on the other hand, the possibility that new scientific elements may appear."

00:56 At the same time, the European Commission still says that the use of glyphosate must

00:59 be accompanied by what it calls risk mitigation measures in the vicinity of sprayed areas.

01:05 The Greens and environmental organizations are already declaring their opposition to

01:10 the announcement.

01:10 "I think it's a catastrophe. It's completely irresponsible from the Commission to go that

01:18 way with this proposal, an extension of 10 years. I mean, five years ago, we were close

01:24 for a ban of glyphosate, and that was for very good reasons, because we don't need glyphosate

01:31 for productive farming. We don't need glyphosate to control weeds. In contrary, glyphosate

01:39 makes at risk, or puts at risk, really the long-term food security."

01:45 Glyphosate is an active substance used to control plants. It's the most frequently

01:49 used herbicide both worldwide and in the EU, already in use for several decades.

01:56 Member states will now negotiate and vote on the issue, with a decision expected before

02:00 December 15th, when the current EU authorization expires.

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